ISLAMABAD, March 22 (Online): World Reference Laboratory for Avian Influenza at weighbridge England has endorsed the presence of Avian Influenza H5 at two farms in Pakistan, one in Charsadda and one in Abbottabad, said a press statement issued by Ministry of Food, Agriculture and livestock here on Tuesday.
Some additional samples were also sent which proved to be negative in both national and international laboratories.

It must mention that Pakistan has announced the presence of Avian influenza H5 on Feb 27 on two farms one commercial layer farm in Charsadda and one breeder farm at Abbottabad, said a press statement issued here on Tuesday.

Necessary steps were taken to minimize spread of infection to other poultry farms in the vicinity and the country in general.

These farms were quarantined and all birds at these farms were culled with cooperation of poultry farmers and Pakistan Poultry Association.

The farm premises were disinfected. Ministry of Health also sent two teams to examine the workers and declared them healthy and free of infection.

All provincial governments have since been undertaking increased surveillance and so far no new farm/bird has been found to be affected with the diseases anywhere in the country.

National Avian Influenza Reference Laboratory at NARC Islamabad diagnosed the infection as avian influenza H5.

Provincial government continues to undertake extensive surveillance. The technical staff of the provincial livestock departments will collect samples, test these at their labs and send the suspected samples to the reference laboratory in Islamabad.

As per guidelines issued by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO), the public is assured the cooked poultry meat and eggs are safe to eat and there should not be any undue concern in this regard.

The ministry urged all the poultry farmers that they should increase the level of bio-security at their farms and immediately report any abnormal or high mortality to local veterinarian or district livestock/poultry development officer for immediate diagnosis.

Meanwhile, Ministry of food and agriculture spokesman Dr. Fazl informed arrangements were stepped up on February 27 to effectively control the outbreak of fatal bird flu in the country and after medical test of thousands of people and animals only two cases were confirmed.

In his exclusive chat with Online Tuesday, Dr. Fazl said, we have earlier closed down farms where the virus was detected and the poultry associations were informed.

It was said that bird flu had reached Pakistan but only two cases were confirmed so far.