Assam calls for precautionary measures to check bird flu

Guwahati, Dec 12 (ANI): With the deadly H5N1 avian influenza spreading in Assam, the State Government has urged poultry farmers to co-operate with the veterinarian staff in the bird culling process.The sale and movement of poultry in and around Guwahati has been prohibited and precautionary measures are being taken elsewhere.

Assam's Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma urged locals, especially poultry farmers, to help in the bird culling process.

"I am literary worried that people are taking it lightly. But, I know if the disaster happens, the transmission from birds to humans, then it would be more serious. Our health department, I don't know is capable of treating how many people at one point of time. So, it is almost better to follow the path of prevention rather than cure. I would like to appeal to people that please take it seriously and help the veterinary department in culling the birds," Sarma said.

Health workers have moved to affected areas to check people for any flu-like symptoms. Although no human infections have been reported so far.

More than 100, 000 chickens and ducks have been slaughtered in the past two weeks in more than four districts of the state.

India has not reported any human infections so far, though the first outbreak in poultry was reported in 2006 in Maharashtra. (ANI)