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Responding to Avian Influenza in Assam,
West Bengal & Sikkim
The
Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries (DAHD&F),
Ministry of Agriculture, has notified avian influenza in nine districts of Assam, three districts of West Bengal and one
district in Sikkim.
The districts – Kamrup, Kamrup Metro, Barpeta, Nalbari, Chirang, Dibrugarh,
Nagaon, Baksa and Bongaigon in Assam; Malda, Darjeeling and Coochbehar in
West Bengal and South Sikkim District of Sikkim – are affected partially.
Local
authorities are culling birds within the three-km radius of the infected
villages. Mopping up and sanitization operations are being carried out by the
Animal Husbandry Department.
Active human
surveillance is being undertaken to cover the population living within
three-km radius of the infected villages/localities. No case of influenza
like illness with history of exposure to infected poultry / poultry products
has been reported.
The situation
is being monitored. Central Government’s Rapid Response Teams have been
deployed at all epicenters.
The Union
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has sent Oseltamivir capsules,
surgical masks, personal protective equipments, N-95 masks and ventilators to
Assam and West Bengal. The Ministry has also just completed the training of
25 physicians from the North Eastern states, including Assam, in
detection and management of human cases of Avian Influenza.
WHO
continues to provide technical collaboration through the Union Ministry of
Health and Family Welfare for outbreak containment. In addition, WHO has provided five ventilators and Oseltamivir
for pediatric use in the affected areas. WHO has
also provided two vehicles to the Union Government to ensure timely shipment
of samples for laboratory testing. WHO is assisting
the government in conducting training for laboratories covering Avian
Influenza surveillance.
For further information please visit the
following websites: -
Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries, Ministry of
Agriculture, Government of India - www.dahd.nic.in
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India - www.mohfw.nic.in
WHO Technical Support to
Country Preparedness and Response for Avian Influenza in India
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