Cooperation indispensable to control disease like bird flu, dengue fever’
By Ali Imran

ISLAMABAD—International cooperation is indispensable to control communicable diseases like bird flu, dengue fever and others and to create awareness of different diseases and allocate budgets and manpower in proportion with their magnitude is the dire need of the time.
These views were expressed by various speakers at the first national seminar on bird flu held under the auspices of Pakistan Medical Society in collaboration with University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences at Government Fatima Jinnah College for Women Choona Mandi Lahore.
US Consulate Principal Officer Bryan D Hunt, MPA-elect Dr. Asad Ashraf, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences VC Prof. Dr. Muhammad Nawaz, Director Health Services Dr. Ziaur Rehman, PMS Chairman Dr Masood Akhtar Sheikh, WHO Representative from Islamabad Dr A Majid, University Lab UVAS Prof Masood Rabbani, Dr Aftab Asif, Dr Khalid Mehmood and Fatima Jinnah College Principal Ms Shama Salman Khaliq also addressed seminar. Bryan D Hunt said, “The threat of avian influenza and the international response to that threat offer us a vivid example of how nations and international organizations must work together in a coordinated, transparent, effective way for the good of all people in the world.
No nation can conquer any disease alone. Only with a cooperative approach we can protect ourselves and our neighbors from avian influenza. We need to share information, pool our capabilities and present a united front to keep the disease from spreading.”
“The United States has been on the forefront of international public health efforts to fight avian influenza around the world, and here in Pakistan. “We want to help to ensure the safety of the food supply, promote healthy poultry flocks and protect the general public from the risk of contracting avian influenza. To achieve these goals, the United States will continue working in partnership with scientists and public health officials in Pakistan and around the world,” Hunt said. Speaking at the technical session, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Nawaz said that basically, this is the disease of birds.
Similarly, fully boiled egg or fried egg is also safe for human health. But acting upon the basic principles of public hygiene is necessary. Washing hands properly with soap is also essential after touching any animal or bird and before and after taking meal.
Prof. Masood Rabbani said that in Pakistan only one case of H5N1 virus has been reported to WHO during the last five years of vigilant surveillance. Pakistan Medical Society Chairman, Dr. Masood Akhtar Sheikh has said that world is facing the real and bigger threats from blood pressure, diabetes, TB, hepatitis, and HIV AIDS. Currently, 20 million people are suffering from hepatitis, another 20 million from diabetes and 15 million are suffering from blood pressure and TB throughout the world.
Dr. Asad Ashraf said it was strange that the people of the country do not pay any attention to the real issues being faced by them. “Our government will take up the issues in accordance with their gravity and severity and, fortunately, bird has not so far assumed the form of a serious issue. Ms Salman Khaliq said this seminar will go a long way in removing the superstitions of the people regarding the consumption of chicken and help restore the hustle and bustle and joys of kitchens. She expressed the hope that Pakistan Medical Society will continue holding such activities for the interest of the general public especially the females who have to do cooking.