IRIN

Citing lack of knowledge on how to safely handle poultry, particularly among backyard poultry farmers, officials in Dhaka, Bangladesh, state that efforts to cleanse commercial poultry farms and maintain hygiene standards, including large scale culling resulting from avian flu, have not prevented the spread of bird flu to 41 of the country's 64 districts. Officials want to focus on educating small-scale poultry farmers. Small farmers explained in interviews that they were unaware that the virus H5N1 could kill their flocks overnight, confused about its origin, and concerned that they are economically unable to buy feed for flocks that are shut inside coops as a preventative measure.


Traditional practices are described as being in need of change. There is recognition of the need to inform, motivate, and mobilise the backyard farmers to take measures to prevent the disease. Changes in purchase and slaughtering practices; disposal of faeces, blood, and remains in both the raising and slaughter processes; and use of protective gear
are the subjects of messages that need to reach a broader public, as described in the article.

The IRIN website accessed on February 22 2008.