WHO trains CDA staff in combating bird flu

ISLAMABAD: Following the identification of H5N1 in dead crows in Islamabad, the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the World Health Organization and Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock (MINFAL) has trained the concerned staff of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) on proper use of Personnel Protective Equipment (PPE) and disposal of dead birds the other day.

PPE includes items such as masks, paper coveralls, gloves, hair covers, and goggles, to protect people who must handle many birds, which may be infected with this disease, according to press release statement issued here on Friday.

The purpose of the training was to prevent their possible exposure to Avian Influenza (Bird Flu). The training session was arranged in Rose and Jasmine Gardens, it was attended by Senior CDA authorities along with Ministry of Health and WHO health professionals.

In the workshop, the CDA announced the setting up of a hotline (# 1334) for the reporting of dead birds that need to be removed from city property.

Recently, an unusual number of dead crows were found in the city. Though birds die of many other causes, it is possible that dead birds one comes across have died due to H5N1.

As per details of the training session, the Avian Influenza is a disease caused by the influenza strain H5N1, and is found in birds in many countries throughout the world.

In Pakistan, there have been cases in commercial poultry in 2006, and in wild birds and domestic poultry in 2007. In some countries, the disease has spread from birds to humans, causing severe influenza, and sometimes death. Pakistan has so far never had a human case of influenza caused by bird flu.

According to the WHO recommendations, if you find a dead bird on your property, you can safely dispose of it yourself by taking the following precautions includes, avoid touching the bird with your bare hands, cover your face with a mask or use a cloth and wear disposable gloves when picking up and handling.

The Precautions included wear disposable gloves when picking up and handling. If disposable gloves are not available, a leak-proof plastic bag can be used as a makeshift glove and When the dead bird has been picked up, the bag can be turned back on itself so that your hands never touch the bird or the parts of the bag in contact with it.

Hands should be washed thoroughly with soap and water, any clothing that has been in contact with the dead bird should be washed using ordinary detergent normally used for washing and any contaminated indoor surfaces should be thoroughly cleaned with normal household cleaner.