Stamping Out Pandemic and Avian Influenza (STOP AI) Bangladesh project yesterday launched a cleaning and disinfection (C&D) programme to improve the security of the live bird market at Sreepur pouroshava in Gazipur.

USAID, through the STOP AI initiative, collaborated with the Sreepur municipality and the market committee to develop a market improvement plan to prevent the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza to birds and

people by including renovation of the water supply, addition of a bio-gas facility for proper waste disposal and a slaughter house, says a press release of the US embassy in the city.

It said the live bird markets can be a major source of the avian influenza and can contribute to its spread in Bangladesh. STOP Al, funded by the USAID, protects animals from bird flu and provides people access to safe food products and minimises the risks of avian influenza from becoming a public health epidemic.