FAO Raises Fears Over Use Of Disinfectants To Fight Bird Flu
FAO Raises Fears Over Use Of Disinfectants To Fight Bird Flu
The Food and Agriculture Organisation in Bangkok has recommended that livestock officials investigate the possible long-term effects on human health and the environment of the use of disinfectants to prevent outbreaks of bird flu. The ingredients of the disinfectants include some chemicals such as glutaraldehyde, which is normally used to preserve biological specimens. The disinfectants have been sprayed on a massive scale in nationwide campaigns to suppress the virus. ''No one knows for sure if the chemicals are safe. Officials should take precautions when using the substances,'' said Wantanee Kalpravidh, the FAO's regional coordinator for Avian Influenza Surveillance Networks Southeast Asia. While the effectiveness of measures to prevent bird flu spreading during outbreaks has been noteworthy, she said officials should review the process, limiting the use of disinfectants to risk spots or switching to alternative chemicals now that the situation has improved. She was speaking during a recent meeting of bird flu management experts in Bangkok to review control measures. According to the FAO's evaluation, Thailand's performance in controlling bird flu has been good while its measures to suppress the virus, if adjusted, could be a model for neighbouring countries. Yukol Limlamthong, deputy permanent secretary for the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry, said authorities had conducted four extensive bird flu campaigns in a year with the use of up to 80,000 litres of disinfectants. Areas where large amounts of disinfectants were used were the lower northern and central regions, where the virus had recurred. (cont)
Source: Bangkok Post
http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/11Jan2007_news12.php