State on alert over avian influenza

Newmai News Network:
Imphal, Dec 22 : In continuation of the programme of the Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Department, Government of Manipur, to prevent any possible out break of another bird flu in the State, necessary steps have been initiated.
The outbreak of bird flu in Manipur was declared by the Government of India on July 7, 2007 and even though it was contained preventtive measures continue to be observed in the State.
With the reported outbreak of bird flu in the neighbouring State of Assam, the department has intensified their activities on awareness programmes and measures to prevent any possible outbreak of the flu in the State.
Besides the awareness programmes, interaction programmes, surveillances etc are being carried out in full swing to ensure that it reaches the grass root level and monitoring of the entry of poultry products from infected areas are on at strategic points of border area.
P Brojendro in charge of the Disease Investigation Lab, Veterinary Department of Manipur, informed that as part of the continuation of this programme the department has also started training youths.
He revealed that 100 male youth health workers (trainees) of the Medical Department from different district were imparted training. They are also trained practically about the utilization of the Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) besides being provided with updated data of the prevailing situation during the training, Brojendro added.
He also informed that all the officials of relevant departments which include the Manipur Veterinary Council, Directorate of Veteri- nary, and doctors are also given training for capacity building measures to face any eventualities.
Further sharing his opinion P Brojendro said that frequent surveillance was the key behind the early and successful containment of the outbreak in the State.
He also informed that the department had carried out an awareness programme at Takhel in Imphal East area on Sunday, December 21, at the community level with the help of NGOs and also collected samples from every household at the area which will be sent to laboratories at Bhopal and Kolkata.
Meanwhile, a source from the department informed that it has despatched a team of experienced officials to Jiribam, Imphal East district which shares its border with Assam led by a nodal officer of the bird flu, Dr Gopal.
Consisting of twenty persons, the team during their stay at Jiribam will train Rapid Response Team (RRT), added the source.
The team will also organise awareness and interaction programmes for the general public including NGOs, Meira Paibis, offices and police department, informed the source of the department.
Thousands of birds were culled last year.