Environment Minister Anisul Islam Mahmud has said twenty-one species of migratory birds may carry avian influenza virus to Bangladesh during the winter season.
"Some 244 species of migratory birds usually arrive in Bangladesh during the winter season. Among them, there's risk of carrying avian influenza virus by 21 species of bird," he said on Tuesday.
The minister gave the information while replying to an question from treasury bench lawmaker M Abdul Latif in the parliament, reports UNB.
Anisul Islam said One Health Bangladesh, a government organisation, with support from the Home Ministry, Fisheries and Livestock Ministry and the Environment, Forest and Climate Change Ministry collected the blood and stools of migratory birds to detect the presence of avian influenza virus.
Besides, One Health Bangladesh observes the 10th November as the One Health Day every year to raise public awareness about avian influenza, he added.