LAHORE, March 4: The University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS) has notified constitution of a six-member emergency cell to handle Avian Influenza (AI), which has already caused a high mortality in poultry flocks in the Karachi area and poses a threat to chicken in rest of the country.

The committee, which is to be convened by Prof Dr Muhammad Akram Munir, has Dr Khushi Muhammad, Dr Masood Rabbani, Dr Muhammad Akram, Dr Farina Akhtar Khattak and Shahan Azeem as its members.

It will advise farmers regarding the prevention and control of AI in poultry. It will also monitor flocks for detecting the disease agent or antibodies in clean but susceptible chickens.

The committee will establish a close liaison with the Pakistan Poultry Association, Pakistan Medical Association and various government departments. Meanwhile, the UVAS has started isolation and characterization of the agent causing mortality in flocks in Karachi besides providing guidance to farmers and consumers through electronic and print media.