New Delhi: With cases of Avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, increasing in India, the health ministry has directed the affected states — Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan — to take steps to avoid its transmission to humans.
So far, no cases of human transmission have been reported. To keep it that way, the ministry has issued guidelines to ensure appropriate measures are taken for containing the disease among the bird/poultry population.
Avian flu is a highly infectious and severe respiratory disease in birds caused by the H5N1 influenza virus, which can occasionally infect humans as well, although human-to-human transmission is unusual, and does not happen easily, according to the ministry.
However, people coming in close contact with infected birds, whether dead or alive, can contract the flu, and around six of 10 confirmed cases in humans have led to deaths.
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Increase surveillance on humans, check for unusual bird deaths
According to the ministry’s guidelines, surveillance needs to be increased in accordance with the action plan for Animal Husbandry For Preparedness, Control and Containment of Avian influenza (2015). In addition, the guidelines also suggested identification of high-risk zones and surveillance of human population in these zones as well as in villages around these zones.
The four states have also been asked to be vigilant about any unusual deaths among birds/poultry in the state. In case of any such occurrence, states are required to share details with the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme officer and intimate the health ministry and the respective state department for animal husbandry.
In addition, the ministry has also deployed multi-disciplinary teams to affected districts in Kerala (Alappuzha and Kottayam) and Haryana (Panchkula). A high-level team, led by the director of the National Centre for Disease Control, has also been sent to Kerala to oversee the implementation of Avian Influenza containment operations and guide state health departments. The same team will also review the Covid situation in the state.
The Centre Wednesday said that 12 epicentres of the bird flu had been identified in these four states. According to the union Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, the disease has been reported in crows in Baran, Kota, Jhalawar region of Rajasthan as well as Mandsaur, Indore, Malwa areas of Madhya Pradesh.
In Himachal Pradesh, the infection was found in migratory birds in Kangra region and in poultry ducks in Kerala’s Kottayam, Alappuzha and four other epicenters.
Also read: How coronavirus, bird flu and rumours to stay off non-veg hit poultry industry hard in India