India: Status Report on Avian Influenza outbreak in Sikkim

as on 26.01.09

Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries has notified outbreak of Avian Influenza in poultry in the Hospital Road locality of Ravongla Municipality in South Sikkim District on 19.1.2009. Containment measures are continuing.

•Culling started on 20.1.2009 and so far 4091 birds have been culled. Culling operations are over.

•142 Animal health workers involved in culling operations are on chemoprophylaxis.

• Active house-to-house human surveillance is continuing. In 0-3 Km area the total population of 5171 is being covered on daily basis. Seven cases of URI with fever have been identified but have no exposure history.

• In the 3-10 km area the total population is 19699 out of which 9732 were covered on 25.01.2009. Twenty-six cases of fever with URI have been detected but none of them has any history of exposure to infected poultry.

• In the identified health facility at PHC Ravongla, six cases were identified with URI and fever but have no exposure history.

• Isolation facilities have been set up at PHC Ravongla. Critical care treatment facility has been strengthened in STNM Hospital, Gangtok. Two ventilators have been supplied by MOHFW to strengthen this centre.

•IEC material for print and visual media in Nepali language has been provided to the State Govt.

•There is adequate stock of Oseltamivir and PPE with the State.

•Daily reports are received from the Control Room established in Ravongla.

• The central rapid response team from MOHFW is assisting the local health authorities. Situation is monitored on a daily basis. As of now there is no suspect human case of avian influenza.