A study was conducted to investigate the existing system of fry trade and different problems and prospects associated with this enterprise in Jessore district. A total of 82 hatchery operators and nursery owners were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. In the study period 4211.5 kg hatchling were produced in 85 hatcheries in this area of which 80% were reared in the same area. Average price of per kg hatchling were Indian major carps-Tk.1200 to 1800, Chinese carp Tk. 1200 to 1600 and Thai sharpunti and pungus-Tk. 900 to 1200. A total 1621 lacs of 1-4" sized fry was produced during the study period. Among them Indian major carp 864.3 lacs (53.32%), Chinese carp 621.9 lacs (38.36%), Thai sharpunti and pangus 134.8 lacs (8.32%). The fry mortality was observed 24 % (± 1.92) due to improper management. The aratdar and middlemen were controlling the marketing system. As a consequence, fry traders and nursery operators have been facing several problems in this business. The main constrains were lack of capital (35%) followed by lack of technical knows-how (27%) faced by fry traders. The nursery operators faced the problems like lack of capital (31%), high lease value (25%), high price of production inputs (17%), terrorism (12%), intense market competition (9%) and the lack of policy support (6%). As Jessore contributes fifty percent of total fry and fingerling production in Bangladesh, therefore, the stakeholders should focus on the trade issues, otherwise fish supply would be interrupted as a whole.

During the period 2014-18, a total of 219 cases of fish mortalities were being investigated under a passive surveillance programme. Among different disease incidences parasitic diseases were found to the major contributor accounting for 74.88% cases followed by bacterial diseases of 12.79%, mixed bacterial and parasitic diseases of 10.50% and viral diseases of 1.83%. Among different parasitic cases mixed parasitic infections (37.80%) were found to be premier cause of disease followed by Argulosis (19.51%), Dactylogyrosis (18.90%), Myxosporean infections (12.80%), Trichodinosis and Ichthyophthiriasis (3.04%) and other parasitic infections (4.88%). Among bacterial infections, aeromonads group account for 66.66% diseases besides few emerging pathogens of public health significance. Catla was found to be the most susceptible species and winter season being the most favorable season for occurrence of infectious diseases. Fishes weighing 100-500 g were most vulnerable to disease occurrence. This study generated a comprehensive disease incidence scenario in freshwater aquaculture in eastern India.

Hand washing has been recognized as an effective measure against the transmissions of different communicable diseases. This article provided insights into hand washing facilities, students’ knowledge, and patronage of the facilities in basic schools in Ejura-Sekyeredumase Municipality of Ghana motivated by the Covid-19 pandemic. We pointed out the current state of handwashing facilities and knowledge of proper handwashing among basic schools in the second Covid-19 hotspot region.  The study spanned between November 2019 to March 2020. From pre Covid-19 period to the time (month) Ghana recorded its first case of Covid-19. The study was undertaken using well designed structured questionnaire, observation checklist and interviews. It involved randomly sampling 25 public schools and 5 private schools. From each of these 30 schools, 19 students and a teacher were selected randomly and purposively making a total of 600 respondents. Data obtained from the students and staff were compared for their effective relationships using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 20. The Pearson Chi-Square test was used to show the effect size and the strength of relationship between variables. The results showed that the handwashing facilities were not enough for students and teachers. Many students rated availability of handwashing materials as good (66. 70%). There was a statistically significant difference (p<0.05) between the availability of hand washing materials and patronage of the facility. Most students claimed water flowed always ( =1.27) with few reporting intermittent water availability (26.70%, SD=0.45). Generally, more students (76.80%) washed their hands with soap and water after visiting the toilet. There was a significant difference between students who knew germs and the number of times they practiced hand washing, X2(4, N=546) =13.26, P=0.01). However, the effect size was relatively small (Cramer’s V=0.15). Inadequate handwashing materials (42.13%) and forgetfulness from students (37.07%) were hindrances to effective handwashing. The government through the ministry of education should ensure all year- round provisions of hand washing facilities and materials coupled with continuous education and awareness to strengthen hand washing habit among the students.