November 1, 2005	Tuesday	Ramzan 27, 1426

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ISLAMABAD, Oct 31: There is no evidence to establish the presence of bird flu in Pakistan, a meeting was told here on Monday that was called to assess the level of preparedness in the wake of the threat.

The meeting was presided over by Health Minister Mohammad Nasir Khan.

The minister constituted a committee comprising Director- General Health Dr Majid Rajput, Executive Director National Institute of Health (NIH) K.A. Karamat, chief Public Health Laboratories, NIH, director National Agricultural Research Centre, president Pakistan Poultry Association, WHO representative in Pakistan, commandant of the Armed Forces Institute of Virology, a representative of the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock and financial adviser to the health ministry.

The committee was tasked with assessing the situation and submitting its recommendations to the ministry within a fortnight.

The health minister emphasized a proactive and holistic approach in view of the threat posed by the disease. Since the mortality rate resulting from the infection of avian flu is 75 to 80 per cent, a close vigil is necessary to check and stem the onslaught of the disease at an early stage, he said.

Meanwhile, Secretary Health Anwar Mehmood told the meeting that in collaboration with the WHO and the Naval American Medical Research Unit-3, a three-month programme had been launched to keep a close watch on any possible signs of presence of the virus in the country. The NIH has been designated as the focal point to take immediate necessary measures.

DG Health Dr Majid Rajput said surveillance, quarantine, vaccines, anti-viral medicines and hospital preparedness remained key interventions for combating the threat of human influenza cases.

A long-term strategy has also been drafted that includes aspects like risk communication, public awareness and health education, control of outbreaks, anti-viral drugs stockpiling and influenza vaccination.

WHO Representative in Pakistan Dr Khalif Bile also called for framing regulations obligating the poultry farmers to vaccinate their flocks.

Meanwhile, the representatives of Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock and the poultry industry called for making provisions for compensating poultry farmers in case their flocks were to be killed.

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