India: Steps taken to check spread of bird flu

Nov 19, 2012
By Sreedevi Chitharanjan, TNN
KOZHIKODE: Department of animal husbandry has beefed up measures to prevent the transmission of Type A virus and prevent a possible outbreak of avian influenza or bird flu.

The department has tightened vigil in the Kadalundi bird sanctuary, Mavoor wetland region near river Chaliyar and Kottuli wetland areas where migratory birds from different parts of the world visit during October to March.

The move was taken following a direction issued by the Kerala state animal husbandry department to all its district offices to keep tight vigil in places visited by migratory birds. An outbreak of avian influenza was reported in Maharashtra in 2006. Migratory birds infected with the virus are capable of spreading the bird flu in the continents they visit. The birds carry the virus in intestine and distribute via faeces. Though the avian influenza virus does not directly infect human beings, several cases of human infections and outbreak have been reported around the world.

Officials of the animal husbandry department have also started random checking of poultry farms and pig farms and will send the report to the chief veterinary officer every month.

An expert-team lead by district co-ordinator of animal disease control project has already visited the Kadalundi bird sanctuary and other two wetlands. The department has constituted a rapid action force, two mobile squads and 50 rapid response teams to conduct checks during the visit of migratory birds. District veterinary officer and deputy director of the department supervise the work. The department has already imparted training classes to officials of health department in the district.

"Migratory birds enter the state through Maharashtra and we cannot rule out the possibility of an outbreak. There are chances of persons coming in contact with the sick birds getting infected with bird flu," said Dr Jancy Sreekumar, district coordinator of animal disease control project.

"The bird flu H5N1 strain had killed many people across the world. We don't have to take a chance and hence taken preventive measures," she added. 

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kozhikode/Steps-taken-to-check-spread-of-bird-flu/articleshow/17274217.cms