PESHAWAR (February 18 2004): The NWFP Minister for Health Inayatullah has rejected rumours about the prevalence of bird flu virus in the province, saying there was no evidence of alien influenza in the province.

He was presiding over a high level meeting, regarding the harassment created among the people through rumours about bird flu and its adverse effects on poultry industry in the province, in the Committee Room of Health Secretariat Peshawar on Monday.

Besides, Provincial Health Secretary, Dr Ihsanul Haq; Director-General, Health, Dr Jalilur Rehman; Director Veterinary Research Institute (VRI), NWFP, Dr Saeedullah Jan; Disease Investigation Officer of Livestock Department, Dr Sher Muhammad; Chairman, Disease Control Committee, Dr Khisro Kaleem; Joint Secretary Pakistan Veterinary Association, Dr Manzoor Ahmad, WHO representative, Dr Quaid Saeed; President, Sarhad Poultry Association, Malik Fazal Malik, and other experts participated in the meeting.

The VRI Director said that no clinical evidence of alien influenza virus H7&9 had been found in the province, while bird flu virus H5NI was also not traced in any part of the country.

He further elaborated that even in Karachi no case of alien influenza was reported after December 31, 2003.

Secretary Health and DG Health while briefing the meeting informed that health department had already taken appropriate steps to cope with the issue.

The meeting was further informed that a task force including representatives from various sectors was constituted to evolve strategy to combat the negative propaganda in this regard and prepare a plan to tackle such situation in the future.

Experts on this occasion categorically rejected the rumours about alien influenza and bird flu saying that it did not exist in the country. The health minister said that his department was playing its due role to keep the people aware of the real situation.

He however, underlined the need for a joint struggle to keep masses fully informed about issues of public health.

Inayatullah asked the Information Department and media men to play a dynamic role in educating people about the crucial public health issue to control its losses to the economy of the province.

Courtesy Business Recorder