Though not an immediate cause for alarm, zoonosis will gradually turn out to be a threat for Bangladeshis if proper measures are not taken to ensure treatment of animals found to be carriers, said a Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (Bapa) member secretary yesterday.

"Animals and birds spread different virus related diseases like bird flu...and anthrax in our country. It is still not alarming but we will gradually face these diseases," said Zahedur Rahman of the safe food, drinks and consumer rights programme.

He was addressing a seminar "One Health Movement: Effective ways of healthy food management”

Bapa organised in the capital's Dhaka Reporters Unity.

Government bodies for regular monitoring to ensure the treatment are inactive while there is no surveillance in food markets, he said.

Hormones to fatten cows were passing on to humans and posing health hazards while poultry was not always healthy for being fed contaminated feed, he added

Although citizen bodies are sometimes raising their voice for safe food, the government is not taking necessary steps.

So, it is essential for doctors, agriculturalists, environmentalists, scientists and people from all walks of life to unite under a platform to raise the demand, he added.