Separate ward to treat bird flu patients in BPKIHS

PRADEEP MEYANGBO

DHARAN, Jan 26 - Keeping in view the possibility that avian flu virus might infect people, B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences (BPKIHS) here in Dharan began setting up a separate ward to treat such patients.

The decision was taken in the wake of the outbreak of bird flu in Kakadbhitta of Jhapa district. “We’ve been setting up a ward to treat avian flu virus affected patients at the tropical ward, where we plan to establish one emergency ward as well,” said Dr. Balabhadra Prasad Das, Director of BPKIHS

on Sunday.

He also dismissed rumours that two bird flu patients were admitted at the hospital for treatment.

According to him, the two persons were suffering from pneumonia though they were poultry farmers.

“If any such patient is admitted, we don't have basic infrastructure and equipment to offer treatment,” he said adding that they have also asked

the government to provide

necessary help in this regard.

The move comes after government officials have said that no person has been infected with the virus and the virus has not spread in other parts of the country except Kakadbhitta.

On January 16, the government had confirmed the outbreak of bird flu virus in Jhapa. Following this, health workers had killed more than 23,000 chickens and ducks in the eastern district.

Chicken destroyed

GAUR

A patrol of security men from the Armed Police Force’s Border Security Office at Bakul, Gaur, caught and destroyed chicken worth Rs 25,000 that were being illegally imported from India.

Though the government has banned import of poultry products in the wake of bird flu threat, smugglers had been illegally importing birds regularly, the police said.

Mahesh Kumar Shrestha, SP of APF, said the chicken were killed in the presence of respected people of the society.

Posted on: 2009-01-25 20:59:14