ISLAMABAD, April 8: The government is developing a National Emergency Plan at a cost of Rs271 million to effectively respond to and contain future outbreaks of Avian influenza commonly known as bird flu by monitoring the spread of H5N1 or other pandemic strain viruses in humans, an official source told Dawn.

He said the project would address all epidemiological phases of expected influenza outbreaks and prevent possible loss of life and socio-economic disruption by mobilizing all national and provincial line departments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and the civil society.

Emphasis will be laid on components like containment and quarantine, vaccination, emergency response, clinical health services and communication.

Under the plan, the sources said, emergency coordination and response cells would be established, one at the federal level, four in the provincial headquarters and 120 such cells at district level.

Purchase of 160,000 doses of anti-viral drugs “Tami flu” and printing of 24,000 guidelines for its administration among affected persons are also part of the programme.

Suspected cases of avian influenza in humans would be investigated jointly by the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock; Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the National Institute of Health (NIH) and the World Health Organization.

Large scale culling of affected poultry and vaccination of birds around the affected areas would be done under the plan, besides introducing bio-safety measures at poultry farms.

Active and continued surveillance among the poultry and poultry industry related human personnel will also be done. Hospital control measures will also be taken including isolation of cases of severe respiratory illness.

Experts believe that with the implementation of this project, the losses could be reduced to their minimum level, saving investment of people and increasing production of better quality meat.

Type A/H5N1 influenza viruses can infect several animal species but the wild birds are considered as natural hosts for influenza A viruses. It does not usually cause infection in wild birds but can develop contagious infection in domesticated birds.

In Pakistan, H7N3 and N9N2 have caused significant poultry losses and have weakened economies besides jeopardizing food security.

According to the Pakistan Poultry Association (PPA), Rs8 billion worth of investments have been made in poultry business in the country.