All set to prevent bird flu here

By Nadia Fazlulhaq

The Health Ministry Epidemiology Unit and the Poultry Association of Sri Lanka are carrying out wide surveillance programmes and setting up quarantine systems to prevent Avian influenza. Epidemiology Unit Deputy Director Dr. Paba Palihawadana said that through the wide surveillance, monitoring of migratory birds, poultry products, sick birds/birds dead due to mysterious reasons and humans having symptoms of this flu, is being done.

“We have taken steps to ensure that bird flu does not enter the country,” she said. Poultry Association of Sri Lanka president Dr. D.D. Wanasinghe said no poultry meat is imported from any country.

“Even the parent birds are bought from France and the Netherlands. Although there is a threat from migratory birds, due to a rigid monitoring and quarantine system we are confident that it could be prevented,” he said.

He said as Sri Lanka has no land borders with other countries, poultry transport that may carry the infection is controlled.“We believe that poultry consumers are aware that we are equipped todo our best to prevent bird flu entering our country,” he said.