Ramadoss urges states to be on alert after bird flu outbreak

Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss on Monday asked all the states to keep close vigil on fresh bird flu outbreak and asked to broaden their preparations and efforts to deal with any crisis.

Speaking at a special review meeting, the Minister expressed concern over the recurrence of bird flu in Assam and West Bengal, and emphasized a greater need to expand awareness campaign.

On the received reports of non-cooperation from locals in the culling operations, Ramadoss appealed the state administration to spread awareness to educate the people to adopt safe practices and cooperate in the culling process.

He assured all the states of full support from Centre to cope with avian influenza and also asked them to utilise this situation in developing a standing infrastructure to tackle its occurrence in future.

During the meeting which was attended by representatives of Assam, West Bengal, Meghalaya, Bihar, and Jharkhand, the Minister was also informed the reason behind the delay in culling operation as farmers were protesting for not getting adequate compensation.

Dr. Ramadoss is also likely to ask Chief Ministers and Health Ministers of different states in written to review the preparation of the various agencies pertaining to animal husbandry and rapid response team.

However, since December 16 there was no case of fresh outbreak were reported so far. The latest report from High Security Animal Disease Laboratory, Bhopal – where the blood samples of chickens and other birds across the country including West Bengal and Assam had been sent to test – were found ‘negative’.

Despite no fresh cases of avian flu, Tripura and Mizoram- the nearby states of Assam and West Bengal have imposed blanket ban on importing the chickens and other birds from Assam, West Bengal and adjoining Bangladesh. Meanwhile, officials from Orissa have reported to have completed the vaccination program under which nearby one lakh poultry birds have been vaccinated in eight spotted districts.