Bird flu panic grips Ctg. Poultry farmers

Chittagong correspondent

Chittagong, 14 March 2009:

Panic caused by avian influenza has gripped the Chittagong poultry farmers again after the outbreak of bird flu was reported at Sitakunda upazila in the district.

The panic has also led to an increase in the price of chicken this season when farmers usually opt no to run the poultry business to avert loss due to the highly contagious disease bird flu.

Sources in Chittagong District Livestock Office said the outbreak of the disease of this season was reported at SM Golabaria poultry Farm at village Golabaria in Sitakunda Upazila on March 14.

Owner of the farm Mohammad Abu Bakar Siddique informed district livestock officials of the sudden death of 1,500 chickens when the latter rushed to collect sample.

It was tested at Chittagong District Veterinary Hospital Laboratory and field Diseases Investigation Laboratory in Fenni.

Rakibul Rhaman Tutul, Owner of NAher Agro Complex Limited, said they are in fear of attack by bird flu that destroy the farm as well as the capital of the little investors within a short time.

However, a good number of poultry farmers are not running business this season that contributes to the price hike of chickens.

There are 687 layer farms, 3,359 broiler farms and two layer breeding farms in Chittagong district, said the sources.