The USAID | DELIVER PROJECT Supports Avian Influenza Containment Efforts in Bangladesh

Live bird markets can pose a major threat to containing AI due to their role as centers of trade, slaughter, and processing. Regular disinfection of these markets is a critical biosecurity intervention to limit the spread of the virus. Bangladesh has one of the highest incidence rates of AI in the world and a long tradition of selling and trading poultry in live bird markets. The AI outbreaks have raised serious concerns within the Bangladeshi government, among poultry farmers, and within international organizations operating in the country. In preparation for the avian influenza season, the USAID | DELIVER PROJECT shipped 200 pails of Virkon to Bangladesh and supported the timely utilization of the disinfectant in 42 live bird markets in the Dhaka area. The poultry vendors were initially reluctant to accept the disinfectant, as it would require a loss of time and impact their sale of birds. However, after extra effort was made to motivate and convince the vendors of the benefits of the disinfectant program, they began to understand the importance of market disinfection. Working closely with the Department of Livestock Services and area sanitary inspectors, the USAID | DELIVER PROJECT, the Food and Agriculture Organization, and the AI COMM and STOP AI projects developed and distributed posters to raise awareness about the benefits of market disinfection and provided guidance in the use of Virkon. Following the disinfection of the live bird markets, the vendors observed that the customers were pleased with the cleanliness of the market, and the disinfectant also diminished the foul smell generally associated with the live bird markets. The poultry merchants now understand the benefit of disinfecting their shops and requested to continue supply of Virkon, according to Dr. Mosaddique Hossain, Chief Veterinary Officer. There is a plan to carry out similar disinfectant programs in other major cities throughout Bangladesh, and the project will continue to support the AI containment efforts of Bangladesh and other countries affected by the virus. The USAID | DELIVER PROJECT, Task Order 2, is funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development and manages a global distribution mechanism for commodities to contain outbreaks of the highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza and to limit its potential to spread globally. The project also provides limited technical assistance to priority countries to effectively pre-position commodities in national and regional warehouses for rapid deployment in case of outbreaks.