Speakers at a workshop yesterday called for intensifying the campaign to raise awareness about bird flu to save the booming poultry industry and prevent spread of the virus to humans.

They urged all to take necessary steps to avoid unwanted destruction of poultry as this industry immensely contributes to self-employment and income generation and provide nutrition for the people.

Press Institute of Bang-ladesh organised the workshop titled, 'Bird Flu awareness and preparedness' in association with Unicef at BGMEA Con-ference Room in the port city.

The speakers said the highly infectious H5N1 virus causing avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, can be transmitted to human body.

Quoting WHO statistics, they said a total of 387 people were infected with avian influenza virus across the globe in the last 21 months as of September 10 this year.

Of them, 245 people died and the highest number (112) of deaths was reported in Indonesia, they said.

However, the spread of avian influenza can be checked through various measures such as keeping ducks separate from other domestic birds and animals and using gloves and taking protective measures during the preparation of raw chicken.

The speakers revealed that avian influenza virus has attacked a total of 288 poultry farms in 47 districts since March last year and 16,37,606 birds of 578 farms were culled as of October 12.

Prof Muzahed Uddin Ahmed of Mymensingh Agricultural University was present as the chief guest at the workshop and PIB Director General Md Nazrul Islam delivered the welcome address.

PIB Instructor Parvin Sultana Rabbi spoke at the workshop coordinated by PIB Junior Instructor Mohammad Shah Alam.