Disease Management of Avian Influenza H5N1 in Bangladesh – A Focus on Maintaining Healthy Live Birds

Abstract

Since March 22, 2007 when the Bangladesh Government declared highly pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 present, the disease has become a major public health concern throughout Bangladesh. Avian Influenza (AI) affects all poultry, wild and domestic, including poultry at commercial farms, live bird markets, and in backyard farms, putting many people at risk of contracting the disease. Avian Influenza affects both poultry and humans; therefore efforts in managing the disease necessitate a multi-sector approach. This chapter provides an overview of selected2 aspects of H5N1 disease management efforts in Bangladesh, focusing specifically on prevention efforts that decrease the risk involved with live birds transmitting the virus. An analytic model to examine field-level data is used to explore how using behavioral change communication, social mobilization, and the coordination between human and animal health to maintain healthy live-bird facilities can be used to manage H5N1 in Bangladesh. Specifically, this chapter will provide suggestions for continual disease management with a focus on how multi-sector activities, behavioral change communication, logistics management, interventions impacting live birds, and linking research to practice can contribute to successful disease management programs. Current efforts to reduce the prevalence of AI are addressed, as well as gaps in the effort and future steps to reduce the prevalence of H5N1.