Our Health Adviser has stated, "The spread of bird flu in other countries is like forest fires, but here we are finding it in some pockets only". True, but there is no reason for complacency as the experts must be aware of its potential for rapid spread from narrow origins. The need for extensive preparedness in preventing the spread of this deadly disease is the greatest at the moment. It is common knowledge that it has caused deaths even in many developed countries despite adequate resources at their disposal to combat it.

We would therefore wish to call upon the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Livestock to undertake pragmatic measures in ensuring an effective check on any further proliferation of the disease. Understandably, a countrywide survey is going on to determine the full extent of the incidence of the malady. Then, follow-up measures should be in place. At the same time, it is imperative to stay prepared for treatment of people infected with Avian flu.

With the international donor funds being already accessible, we should, with immediate effect, prepare teams of doctors, veterinarians and technicians for working all over the country on short notice. Not only that, the required technology and detection equipment should be accessible to the poultry firms.

There is yet another important dimension to the issue. Administration should actively consider and have contingency plans to rehabilitate owners of the poultry firms who have lost or continue to lose their stock of birds. It should be borne in mind that poultry farming as an industry has already taken off as a fast expanding and a viable one in the country. Hence every effort should be made to keep the industry going with additional bank financing and micro-credit facilities, if necessary.

Both the electronic and the print media should be extensively used by the authorities in educating and informing the people about the various aspects of Bird flu without causing any undue scare. The media on its own could take up an awareness building programme. People at the same time need to be informed about alternative sources of protein.