KARACHI, May 12: There is a need for an effective surveillance and control of the Avian Influenza in Pakistan, a former chairperson of the Department of Microbiology, University of Karachi, Prof Shahana Urooj Kazmi said while delivering a lecture at the D.J. Science College in connection with the golden jubilee of Microbiology.

Prof Shahana, who is also a member of the Animal Science, Pakistan Agricultural Research Council, Islamabad, was of the view that the non-fumigation of backyard of farms and improper disposal of infected birds were the main reasons behind a possible spread of avian influenza.

She also talked about the historic Spanish Flu pandemic which killed more than 100 million people in 1918. She recalled that the recent outbreaks also caused death of more than 160 people in different countries.

She stated that in order to contain severity of a pandemic, an effective vaccine had to be developed. She said that through a new technique, the Reverse Genetics, which could help create such a vaccine to counter the deadly H5N1 virus in a record time, clinical trials were under way but it expensive.

“We will have to move towards modern methods of rearing and slaughtering birds and animals, besides safe food preparation,” she said.

In Pakistan, hundreds of commercial poultry were culled in Pakistan under the National Contingency Plan when an outbreak of the virus was feared.

Rapid response units were organised for culling and surveillance operations.

Prof Shahana pointed out that there was no human infection or casualty in Pakistan so far because there was a close coordination among the relevant quarters. However, she added, there were difficulties in getting samples from private farms with accurate data.

In case of an outbreak in any village, there must be proper disposal of dead birds to avoid the spread of the virus and farmers should be helped in culling their birds.

Prof Shahana called for creating awareness of bird flu in Pakistan and ensuring an increased bio-security with early diagnosis, vaccination and proper surveillance facilities.

She also stressed on the establishment of nationwide surveillance network and upgrading of diagnostic facilities, support development and tests vis-à-vis the virus.

She was of the view that there should be field and lab staff training regarding bio-security and vaccination measures.

She also emphasised the need for formulating a national contingency plan to counter and meet the threat.—APP