Leaders of the committee alleged that the government and Biman Poultry Farm, the first affected farm by Avian Influenza, did not cull all chickens at the infected zone.

They also said the government and the poultry farm owners should take the preventive measures prepared by National Avian Influenza and Human Pandemic Influenza Preparedness and Response Plan 2006-2008.

"Our 25 lakh people depend on poultry farm business. The government and poultry farm owners will have to strictly follow the preventive measures for safeguarding the most growing business and the people from the attack of Avian Influenza," said Prof Ahmed Kamal, acting convener of the committee, yesterday while addressing a roundtable.

The committee organised the roundtable on 'Preventive Measures to Save Bangladesh from the attack of Avian Influenza' at Dhaka Reporters Unity.

He also said regular surveillance is urgently needed and sufficient number of chickens from all places across the country should be tested to check the disease from epidemic.

Blaming the carelessness of the farm owners and the government, he said ignorance about Avian Influenza is the main cause of spread in Dhaka, Gazipur, Jamalpur, Narayanganj, Gaibandha, Jessore, Tangail and Noakhali.

Engineer M Inamul Haque, former director general of Bangladesh Haor and Wetland Development Board, said the government should investigate how the virus of Avian Influenza has entered the country.

He suggested setting up modern laboratory to check the chicken properly.

Dr Rafiqul Hasan said human being might be affected by Avian Influenza if people are aware of it.

Mass awareness programmes should be launched across the country for safeguarding people and poultry business, he added.

Among others the committee leaders Abul Hasan Rubel and Ziaur Rahman also addressed.