Pak’s poultry free from bird flu: Akram Munir

ISLAMABAD (SANA): There is no outbreak of Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) found in poultry field throughout the country also not been observed since June 2008.

The Project Director of the National Program for the Control and Prevention of Avian Influenza, Dr. Muhammad Akram Munir who is also the spokesman of the Ministry of Livestock and Dairy Development, has said this in a statement issued, here, today
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He said due to efforts of our staff and taken various measures by the government the country is now free from Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) and our poultry is fully safe from this disease

Dr. Muhammad Akram Munir has said World Health Organization (OIE) has already declared Pakistan’s poultry free from Avian Influenza disease and our poultry is no more suffer from Avian Influenza infection.

He further said the doctors, technical experts and staff of the “National Program for the Control and Prevention of Influenza are fully engaged, throughout the country, to ascertain the incidence of avian influenza by under taking active surveillance in closed association with the poultry farmers and Pakistan Poultry Association) PPA) none of the team member of NPCPAI has informed the occurrence of any outbreak of Avian Influenza any where in Pakistan.

He said rumors about the spread of Bird Flu in and around the Rawalpindi and Islamabad is not correct and our poultry is fully hygienic and free of bird flu and people can eat this meat without hesitation.

He appealed the media people that all news item regarding bird flu must be given only after due verification from NPCPAI or Ministry of Livestock and Dairy Development in national interest and to avoid harassment and public panic and to conserve the poultry production in Pakistan.
He said poultry is very important industry of the country which contributes over 26 percent in overall meat availability in the country and also playing important role in promotion of export.