Special report: Global fight against bird flu

    DHAKA, Feb. 17 (Xinhua) -- Bangladeshi Health and Family Welfare Advisor Major General (retd) Dr. ASM Matiur Rahman Saturday called for creating public awareness against bird flu, a deadly avian disease that might enter into the country.

    "Bird flu is knocking at the doors of Bangladesh. Bangladesh is under the risk of bird flu attack as the deadly disease has already spread in almost every neighboring country," he was quoted by private news agency UNB as saying.

    Matiur said there was no scope to think that bird flu would never strike Bangladesh, as the country has not yet come under its attack.

    The government has already decided on a plan of action and a module has been formulated for the field-level health workers, he said, adding: "We've to build a public awareness by ensuring proper application of this module."

    The health advisor urged the media to come forward in an effective way for creating awareness among the people.

    The H5N1 strain has killed around 160 people worldwide since late 2003 and triggered the mass slaughter of tens of millions of poultry. There are fears it could mutate into a form that could cause a human flu pandemic.