Bangladesh: Scientist invents quick H5N1 detector

Via The Daily Star: BAU teacher invents easy device to detect bird flu. Excerpt:

A scientist at Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) has developed a cheap and easy device for detection of avian influenza (bird flu).

The inventor, Dr Md Alimul Islam, a professor of Microbiology and Hygiene Department of BAU Veterinary Science Faculty, said the bird flu virus has been isolated and it is possible to go for production of its vaccine if they get patronisation from the government.

The low cost device will detect the virus within a few hours, Prof Alimul said, adding that 'per bird per course vaccine' imported from foreign countries costs Tk 100 while it will cost only Tk 30 to 40 if it is produced in the country.

He expressed hope that the new method of bird flu detection and consequent production of low cost vaccines will help to save the promising poultry sector as well as the people related with it.

He conducted his research at the laboratory of F n F Pharmaceuticals in Jhenaidah for a year to develop the 'Molecular Detection Method' as BAU has no laboratory with adequate facilities for such research.

For detecting bird flu, the samples are tested at Savar in Dhaka and for confirmation of the infection, the samples are generally sent to National Institute of Animal Health in Thailand and Way Bridge in England and it takes several days to receive the report.

“Although 229 farms were detected with H5 virus positive in 48 districts of the country during the last several months, chickens of 474 farms were culled on suspicion due to lack of proper detection system. Farm owners faced a loss of Tk 4,500 crore. Tk 10,000 crore was invested in this growing sector,” he said.

Meanwhile, the paper also reports that low-income Bangladeshis can't afford protein these days:

Almost all protein sources are becoming unreachable to limited income group as well as the middle-class people as their prices have marked a sharp rise in the city markets and elsewhere in the country.

With the soaring price of the protein-rich items like fish, meat, pulses, chicken, egg and milk, many people have resorted to cut consumption of these items causing malnutrition among a large section of the populace.

Mostly, women and children are bearing the brunt of the situation.

The prices of protein-rich items, being dearer for the last few years, surged by 20 to 30 percent in the last one month.

It has become tough to purchase two kgs of beef and two chickens with Tk 1000. Moreover, it takes at least Tk 500 to Tk 600 to purchase a kg of fresh fish whereas it was possible for a five-member family to run a week with this money, said market sources.

Comments

[Sandra]

"will help to save the promising poultry sector"
Let's all hope the saving is directed towards the citizens that need it the most and not large corporations.