1. Avian Influenza in Bangladesh: Control Strategy Dr. Muhammed Salehuddin Khan Director (Animal Health and Administration) Department of Livestock Services Bangladesh

2. Bangladesh at a glimpse Bangladesh is a country located in South Asia It is bordered by India on all sides except for a small border with Myanmar to the far southeast and by the Bay of Bengal to the south Area : 147,570147,570 km² Population: 150,448,340 Population Density : 1045/ km²

3. Poultry Production System in Bangladesh 1.Poultry Population- a)Chicken – 210 million b)Ducks - 38 million 2.50% of Poultry are reared in the backyard and 50% are in commercial sector 3.Over 80% of rural households rear backyard chicken 4.Ducks are found in almost every part of the country but are more concentrated in areas with large water bodies Continue------

4. 5.In the last two decades the commercial sector has grown very fast 6.Commercial sector comprises of – -------Continued a.Grand Parent stock, Parent stock breeder operations b.Large and medium scale layer and broiler operations c.Small scale layer and broiler operations d.Cockerel farms e.Intensive Semi intensive farm with improved variety Poultry Production System in Bangladesh

5. Field Veterinary Services 1.Extended to 480 Sub-districts (Upazila) across the country 2.An Upazila Livestock Office is staffed with – a)2 professional staff b)6 Para professional staff c)3 other support staff 3.Vaccination against common poultry diseases is carried out usually by 4 designated Para Professional staff and trained poultry vaccinators. 4.District Livestock Officer is in charge of average -6 Upazilas. 5.Director (Animal Health and Administration) is designated as Chief Veterinary Officer of the country and responsible for overseeing the animal health activities.

6. HPAI situation in Bangladesh HPAI was declared by the Government in 22nd March, 2007 The disease moved to the South western part quickly within few days and first incidence from backyard flock (native chicken) was detected in April, 2007. Within a month disease moved to Northern part of the country. The first wave continued till July 2007 with steady regression of number of cases. Total Number of outbreaks were 55 during the first wave.

7. HPAI situation in Bangladesh No disease was reported in August 2007 Second wave of outbreak started in September 2007 The number of outbreaks was climbing steadily and it reached its peak in February 2007 with 96 outbreaks Number of outbreaks during the second wave till 18 March is 187 Outbreaks were reported in both backyard poultry and commercial chickens No outbreak is reported in ducks till to date

8. Epidemiology Curve of HPAI in Bangladesh March 18 2007

9. Reason for not Undertaking Vaccination Backyard poultry constitutes about 50% of the total poultry population Most of the house hold ( about 80%) rear chickens or duck A large duck population across the country Many small scale commercial farms across the country Commercial farms are in close proximity to backyard chickens Disease is sporadically found in Backyard chickens Managing vaccination under this situation is a difficult undertaking

10. Reason for not Undertaking Vaccination The vaccination programme covering backyard poultry will be a difficult undertaking Vaccination keeping the backyard poultry outside will put the total programme at risk This is an expensive vaccine and needs lots of funding Intensive training and communication will be needed Post vaccination monitoring and identify vaccinated backyard birds are difficult due to poor laboratory facilities Poor understanding about the type and character of circulating virus Difficult to produce vaccine locally and dependence on importation The results of vaccination in many countries are not encouraging in particular countries with similar husbandry practices in poultry rearing -------Continued

11. Alternative Government Policy for HPAI control Depopulation of all birds in 1 Km radius of infected premise Destruction or decontamination of all contaminated materials of the infected premise Complete disinfection of infected and contaminated premise, transport and vehicle Movement control of poultry and poultry product in the control zone Strong communication and awareness building