Bird flu: Centre issues health alert to states

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

He said, 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.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.

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'.

Meanwhile, no death of a bird was reported from any zoo in Delhi and Madhya Pradesh yesterday. The Monitoring Committee, constituted by the Environment Ministry, said this in a report after reviewing the control and containment of the avian influenza situation. An official release said, zoos remained closed for the safety of the visitors and measures to control the spread of the influenza are in place.