Rapid operations to curb avain influenze in WB

New Delhi, Mar 31: Containment operations for avian influenza are in full swing in Jalpaiguri district of West Bengal with deployment of central rapid response teams and house to house surveillance. About 137 animal health workers are under medical supervision and chemoprophylaxis in the district, a health ministry release said here today.

Surveillance has started in 0-3 Km area and population of 19,555 has been covered following the notification of the disease in Sabeber Kamar, Sampukuri para village of Jalpaiguri Sadar Block by the Department of Animal Husbandary on March 27. About ten cases of fever/URI have been identified in the community, but none of them had exposure to infected poultry. In the identified hospital 14 cases with fever/ URI have been reported of which one such case has been admitted with a history of contact with infected poultry.

In the earlier notified area of English Bazar block of Malda district, active house-to-house surveillance within the 0-3 Km is on and a population of 2,17,999 have been covered. About 15 cases of fever/URI have been detected with no history of handling dead/sick birds. In 3-10 Km area a population of 34,901 has been covered. 49 cases of fever/URI have been detected with no history of exposure to infected poultry.

As many as 209 animal husbandry workers involved in containment operations in the district are under medical supervision and chemoprophylaxis. Adequate stock of Oseltamivir, personal protective equipment are available with the State/district authorities. Though no suspected case of human avian influenza has been reported, the situation is being monitored.

UNI