Bird Flu: Centre issues Health Alert to all States, UTs

The Centre has issued a health advisory to all the States and Union Territories, asking them to minimise bird-human interface to prevent an outbreak of bird flu. In an advisory to Chief Secretaries of all the States and Union Territories, Union Health Secretary CK Mishra listed out precautions to be taken to prevent an outbreak and offered central assistance if needed.

Personal protective equipment should be used by those handling dead or sick birds and persons exposed to the affected birds should be kept under surveillance and provided medication, Mishra stated.

Recently, birds in Delhi, Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh and Alappuzha in Kerala have been tested positive for avian influenza AH5N8. According to WHO, the virus is considered less risky of being transmitted to humans.

Union Animal Husbandry Secretary Devendra Chaudhary said, there would be no impact on poultry trade. Briefing media about the situation, the Secretary said, three states have been asked to follow the ‘Action Plan of Animal Husbandry for Preparedness, Control and Containment of Avian Influenza’.