With a view to increase awareness on avian influenza and other emerging zoonotic diseases, ICDDR,B in collaboration with one World One Health-Bangladesh Initiative organised a scientific conference recently at ICDDR,B premises.
Almost 75 percent of infectious diseases are zoonotic disease (are those which are transmissible between humans and animals). Increasing incidence of these diseases have emerged as a serious concern for our people.
The recent epidemic of avian influenza in chickens and subsequent detection of the virus in human has posed a serious threat for the country. Other zoonotic diseases like tuberculosis, rabies, kala azar and food-borne diseases are also very common. Speakers urged to set up a mass awareness programme immediately to prevent an epidemic.
Health Advisor Dr AMM Shawkat Ali attended the conference as chief guest, while AMM Nasiruddin, Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Sayed Ataur Rahaman, Secretary of Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, Professor Dr Md Akhter Hossain, Vice Chancellor of Bangladesh Agriculture University and Dr M Abdus Salam, Acting Executive Director of ICDDR, B were present as special guests.
Source: The Daily Star, November 15, 2008
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