26959 birds culled in Darjeeling due to Avian Influenza

The Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries has notified a new epicenter on 6.1.2009 in Darjeeling District [Village Bansdhura in block Rangli Rangliot]. This is in addition to the earlier notified village Binay Krishnapally in Mathegara block.

The Central Team already deputed by MOHFW to Darjeeling would also cover the containment operations in the new epicentre. So far about 26,959 birds have been culled. 71 Animal Health workers are under chemoprophylaxis.

Since the first notification of Avian Influenza in Assam on 27.11.2008, 17 other epicenters, spread over eight districts have been notified. The last notification was on 24.12.2008. No new centres have been notified.

So far a total of 4,81,624 birds have been culled. A total of 418 Animal Health workers, who were deployed for the culling activity are on Chemoprophylaxis.

The Central government RRTs is covering the epicenters notified on 24.12.2008. They are working with the state RRT teams. Active house to house surveillance for 10 days post culling/ mopping is over in earlier notified areas. In these areas passive surveillance is continuing. In areas notified on 24th Dec. 2008 active house to house surveillance is being followed in 0-3 km zone. In 3-10 km area surveillance is conducted in phases. As per the reports received, a population of 1,04,38 was covered in 0-3 Km area and 1,60,699 in 3-10 km area. (as on 1/7/09).

72 cases of Upper Respiratory Infection [URI] with fever were detected [7 in 0-3 Km and 65 in 3-10 Km]. None of them had history of handling dead or sick birds. 24 cases of URI with fever in the outpatient department were detected in the identified health facilities. 847 Health Workers are deployed for surveillance.

40,000 capsules of Tamiflu, 12,000 surgical masks, 1200 personal protective equipments, 400 N-95 masks, 50 bottles of tamiflu syrup and 8 ventilators have been supplied by MoHFW. Sufficient anti-viral drugs and PPE are in stock with the State Government.

Messages to create public awareness are being telecast/ broadcast in local channels and AIR. Local campaign such as miking and interpersonal communication is followed in all epicenters.

The situation is being monitored on a daily basis.

Source : Press Information Bureau

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