The Brazilian Ministry of Agrarian Development has begun to distribute explanatory pamphlets on bird flu, its risks, how it is transmitted, and how to prevent the disease.
The initiative is directed at nearly two million family farmers and inhabitants of agrarian reform settlements, who will be given access to more information about the dangers of bird flu.
The director of the Ministry’s Department of Technical Assistance and Rural Extension, Argileu Martins da Silva, says that there is a risk the disease will reach Brazil and that it is important for people to be informed on this matter.
"Raising people’s awareness is important so that they don’t become overly concerned but don’t drop their guard, either," he explained.
The Ministry’s initiative is part of a contingency plan drawn up by the Brazilian government to prevent and combat the disease. All federal institutions will have tasks to execute under the plan.
The bird flu virus is currently spreading in Asian and Eastern European countries, where a large number of fowl have been sacrificed and around 100 people have died of the disease.
ABr