Dhaka, Mar 5 (bdnews24.com)—Detection of three new human infections with the deadly H5NI strain of bird flu in a week has set alarm bells ringing as scientists have found evidence of the virus in the live-bird market in crowded Dhaka. The Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) confirmed a human case on Feb 26 when a worker of a live-bird market in southern part of the capital was tested H5N1 positive at the IEDCR's surveillance site.
Its director Prof Mahmudur Rahman told bdnews24.com that they had informed the government's Department of Livestock right away and suggested 'immediate' steps to disinfect wet markets.
bdnews24.com saw no cleaning drive but learned the livestock department fixed a technical committee meeting for Wednesday instead of beginning to disinfect the market.
In the meantime, the IEDCR that oversees human infections of bird flu disclosed on Monday that another two cases were confirmed on Sunday night in their lab.
"They are also live-bird market workers," Prof Rahman told bdnews24.com and added that they expected the livestock department to move quickly for the sake of public health safety.
"The virus's presence in live-bird market means it is now even closer to people," he added. Read More
