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There are a great many social, economic, and psychological barriers throughout the world that make containing, and preventing bird flu outbreaks difficult.
In Nigeria, for instance, it has been reported that street vendors are marking down the price of sick chickens so they can sell them quickly, before they die, rather than cull their birds.
And here in Pakistan, farmers reportedly concealed bird deaths, and are now blocking health authorities access to possibly exposed workers.
KARACHI: Workers evade avian flu test
By Mukhtar Alam
KARACHI, April 12: Health officials have so far not tested the workers of the three poultry farms in the city, where, according to farmers’ association, about 67,000 birds died or were culled in the wake of avian flu (H5N1) virus outbreak in the last fortnight.
Since there have been a number of cases of avian flu infecting humans in the past in various countries, it is necessary to test the persons who have been in contact with infected or dead birds, mainly farm workers, experts say. Most at risk are those handling and culling infected birds.
Sources among the stakeholders said the health authorities were concerned about human health but the farmers, who concealed the outbreak, and blocked access to the workers are not cooperating.
It is suspected 14 to 18 workers were in contact with the infected birds.
The Pakistan Poultry Association representatives are also reluctant to reveal the names of the infected farms and their owners, while the livestock department officials are also keeping quiet, said a health department official.
The experts said that owners of these farms should not take the matter lightly, as there have been cases where persons have tested positive for the H5N1 strain, though they did not feel ill or show symptoms of avian influenza. The experts fear the virus may develop into a form which can be transmitted from person to person.
