by 
Jashore, May 02, 2025: A team from the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) has initiated an investigation in Jashore following suspicions of bird flu (avian influenza) infection in a human. The team arrived in Jashore on Friday morning, May 2, to conduct the probe.
Jashore Civil Surgeon Dr. Masud Rana confirmed the development. The IEDCR team, comprising Dr. Foyzul Islam, Shah Afroz Hasna Akhtar, Noor-e-Alam, Faiyad Ahdem Kan, medical technologist Md. Sanaullah, and a driver, will collect blood and other samples from the suspected individual to confirm the infection.
According to an IEDCR source, recent data raised concerns about a possible bird flu infection in a child in Jashore, prompting the investigation. Health officials reported that an eight-year-old child from Ramnagar Union in Jashore Sadar Upazila was admitted to Jashore 250-Bed General Hospital with respiratory distress and fever. The hospital authorities alerted IEDCR after observing the child’s symptoms, leading to the deployment of the expert team.
The IEDCR team has collected blood and other samples from the child and is collaborating with livestock officials to inspect nearby poultry farms and the surrounding environment. The samples will be sent to IEDCR’s laboratory in Dhaka for testing, and further steps will be determined based on the results.
Dr. Masud Rana stated that the IEDCR team began its work, including sample collection and testing, on Thursday afternoon. “We will be able to confirm whether it is a bird flu infection once the test results are available,” he added.
This development follows an earlier incident on March 12, when bird flu was detected at the Jashore Government Poultry Breeding and Development Farm. After a positive test result from a Dhaka laboratory, over 2,000 chickens in six sheds were culled and buried on March 13. The farm was subsequently disinfected, and no chickens remain in the sheds.
Dr. Md. Abu Sufian, Director General of the Department of Livestock Services, had previously stated that the March outbreak was mild, with samples sent abroad for further testing. He emphasized that there was no cause for panic, as the situation was under control, and urged farmers and consumers to remain vigilant but not alarmed. He also reassured the public that consuming poultry and eggs was safe.
The current investigation, occurring just one-and-a-half months after the poultry farm outbreak, has raised concerns. However, both the health department and livestock authorities have advised the public to stay cautious but not panic.
Jashore’s District Livestock Officer, Dr. Rashedul Haque, reiterated that the situation does not warrant alarm. He noted that the March outbreak was low-pathogenic, and no further suspicious cases have been reported in farms since then. Farmers have been instructed to maintain strict biosecurity measures.
Background: Bird flu was first reported in Bangladesh in March 2007, leading to the culling of over 1 million chickens. The first human case was detected in May 2008. Authorities continue to monitor and manage outbreaks to prevent widespread transmission.
AI/MR
.webp)
.jpeg)
.jpg)
0 coment rios: