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  The World Conservation Union
 
 
12 December 2007, 02:35 BDT
Media Briefing on 'Migratory Waterbirds and Avian Influenza'
IUCN Bangladesh organized a media briefing on the Migratory Waterbirds and Avian Influenza, on November 26, 2007 at the National Press Club, Dhaka. Representatives from the print and electronic media attended the session. Dr. Ainun Nishat, Country representative of IUCN in Bangladesh and Dr. Ray Webb, Chief Technical Advisor of FAO for Bird Flu in Bangladesh were the resource persons in the session.

Dhaka, 12 December 2007 (IUCN) – Country Representative of IUCN Bangladesh, Dr. Ainun Nishat and livestock expert from FAO, Dr. Ray Webb said that proper conservation of water bodies for migratory birds could reduce the risk of Avian Influenza. Addressing a media briefing, they also stressed the need for raising public awareness to reduce the risk of bird flu infection through migratory birds which might have carried H5N1 virus.

In his speech, Dr. Nishat said that the spread of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 is of public concern and receives a lot of attention in the media though there remains widespread misunderstanding of the issue of the different ways in which the virus might be spread. However, numerous species of wild birds, especially waterbirds have been proven to be susceptible to infection by H5N1 and in at least some cases wild migratory birds are likely to have contributed to further spread of the disease, he added. Thus, the loss of wetlands around the globe may force many wild birds to come into direct contact with chickens, ducks, geese, and other domestic fowl.

Dr. Nishat, expressed his concern on the migratory birds as they also falls as the victim of Avian Influenza. He warned that close contact between wild birds and poultry can lead to cross-infection, from poultry to wild birds and from wild birds to poultry.

Dr. Webb deliberated a presentation on AI, describing its types and epidemiology situations. In his presentation on ‘Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Bangladesh’, he also provided an overview of the virus responsible for the AI and on past Influenza pandemics, summarizing the risks posed for Bangladesh. He also gave a general idea of the virus that is responsible for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza and reaffirmed that Migratory Birds may have played a minor but significant role in the spread of the disease.

IUCN Bangladesh Country Office has undertaken a communication programme with support from UNICEF to sensitize citizens, NGOs, Government Officials on importance of migratory bird conservation and key prevention messages regarding Avian Influenza in migratory bird specific areas.

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About the World Conservation Union (IUCN)

Created in 1948, the World Conservation Union (IUCN) brings together 81 States, 120 government agencies, 800 plus NGOs, and some 10,000 scientists and experts from 181 countries in a unique worldwide partnership. The Union ’s mission is to influence, encourage and assist societies throughout the world to conserve the integrity and diversity of nature and to ensure that any use of natural resources is equitable and ecologically sustainable.

The Union is the world's largest environmental knowledge network and has helped over 75 countries to prepare and implement national conservation and biodiversity strategies. The Union is a multicultural, multilingual organization with 1,000 staff located in 62 countries. Its headquarters are in Gland , Switzerland .

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