A team from the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) has collected blood and other samples from an eight-year-old child in Jessore on suspicion of bird flu infection.
The samples were collected on Friday (May 2). In addition to examining the child, the IEDCR team also visited nearby poultry farms and assessed the surrounding environment as part of their investigation.
The information was confirmed by the Civil Surgeon’s Office. According to Deputy Civil Surgeon Nazmus Sadiq Russell, the child, a resident of Ramnagar Union in Jessore Sadar Upazila, was admitted to Jessore General Hospital with symptoms of fever and respiratory distress. Observing the clinical signs, hospital authorities alerted the IEDCR, prompting the expert team’s visit.
The IEDCR representatives collected various clinical samples from the child and, accompanied by livestock officials, conducted an environmental survey of nearby poultry farms. The collected samples have been sent to the IEDCR laboratory in Dhaka for testing.
Deputy Civil Surgeon Russell emphasized that the case remains in the suspected stage and no conclusions should be drawn until the lab results are available. He also cautioned against spreading panic in the community based on unconfirmed information.