No safety measure at city poultry markets
A man on a bicycle carries chickens at Fakirapul in the capital yesterday not knowing he could be helping bird flu spread.Photo: STAR
Absence of minimum biosecurity measures at poultry markets and outlets poses an imminent threat of spreading the Avian Influenza, commonly known as bird flu.
The H5N1 virus that causes the flu can contaminate an entire flock of birds at a poultry outlet at a rapid pace if any of the birds is infected with the virus, said experts.
The virus is so infectious that even crows are dying of the flu after eating dead fowls infected with the virus, they added saying that crow is known for its stronger immune system.
They said a crow dying of the virus is unprecedented around the world and it is a proof that the authorities have so far been neglectful in addressing the issue.
Biosecurity measures have to be enforced at the poultry markets and outlets as soon as possible, otherwise the situation might spin out of control, cautioned the experts.
Mahmudur Rahman, director of Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR), said domestic chickens brought to the poultry markets for sale could also spread the flu virus among farm chickens as the poultry reared in ordinary homes are not usually sprayed with disinfectants.
The Dhaka City Corporation (DCC) needs to be more cautious in this regard, he said adding that live bird markets are vulnerable to the spread of the virus and different states of India have already banned the sale of live birds and poultry products.
Despite all the worries over the contagious virus, live poultry outlets at the 404 kitchen markets in the capital are still being operated without following any hygiene standards, let alone biosecurity measures.
The workers at the poultry outlets do not practise any hygienic method while plucking and processing the poultry. After processing, they dump the animal wastes anywhere they please. Above all else, the stall owners do not even provide the workers with facemasks and gloves -- the two items most essential for their own safety.
Mohammad Fazley Rabbi Mondal, a veterinary surgeon at livestock office in Savar upazila, admitted to The Daily Star that none of the ten kitchen markets in the upazila has adopted any biosecurity measure.
Meanwhile, when this correspondent drew the attention of the DCC authorities to the issue, they said they are unable to take any legal steps against the poultry stall owners who do not conform to biosecurity measures because most of them do not possess any trade licence.
"We cannot take any legal steps against them as 90 percent of the poultry traders have no licence. Taking advantage of this, they have been selling poultry by either going door to door or by setting up stalls here and there," said Ajmat Ali, veterinary officer of DCC.
He, however, said, "In July last year we had a meeting with the poultry traders to increase awareness among them and started monitoring in this regard."
Poultry traders at Karwan Bazar alleged that the DCC officials visit the market to collect "toll", but they never provide them with any informative message about recommended safety practices.
Humayun Kabir, a poultry trader, said, "No DCC official ever asked us to wear masks and gloves. They do not even supply disinfectants to us for spraying in the poultry cages. Instead, a private poultry farm sprays disinfectants in the cages every morning."
Anwar, a salesman working for BM Poultry Farm at the same market, said although he is aware of the bird flu threat, he does not wear facemask and gloves as "it would create problems during conversing with customers."
"We have been selling poultry for more than 32 years and bird flu is nothing extraordinary. Every year during the winter time some poultry die of different diseases," said Ismail, a domestic poultry trader at New Market kitchen market.
Admitting that the poultry traders are yet to adopt biosecurity measures, DCC's veterinary officer Ajmat Ali told The Daily Star that the poultry traders are reluctant to wear gloves and masks fearing that their customers might get the impression that the seller who is wearing gloves and masks is selling sick chickens.
"The DCC recently has formed ten regional committees and a central committee that started monitoring the city markets from yesterday. The DCC has decided to formulate a committee in every kitchen market and there will be a slaughter corner where slaughtering and plucking of poultry will be done," Ajmat said adding that the designated poultry processing places in each market will be implemented within a week.
According to Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), long-term financial and political commitment from a government is required to contain and eradicate the H5N1 virus that is responsible for the Avian flu. Modifying or changing the production and marketing practices in the high-risk poultry industry to ensure its safer supply is also recommended by the FAO.
The Avian flu outbreak was first detected in the country in March last year. Since then, more than 4.5 lakh fowls, ducks and pigeons were culled and around 4.5 lakh eggs were destroyed in 37 districts.
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