India - Human Respiratory Track Infections

[HenryN]

Re: India - 82 Cases of Upper Respiratory Track Infections in Assam

Health scare in Indian state as bird flu spreads
<TABLE border=0 width="100&#37;"><TBODY><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD>Agencne France-Presse</TD></TR><TR><TD align=right></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Friday, December 12, 2008


<TABLE style="FLOAT: right" border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=3 width=250 align=right valign="top"><TBODY><TR><TD><TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=2><TBODY><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD class=storycredit>CREDIT: Reuters stringer photo</TD></TR><TR><TD class=storycredit></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>GUWAHATI, India - Medical workers were going door-to-door to look for people with symptoms of avian influenza in northeast India Friday as the infection in birds spread further, officials said.

So far, no human cases of infection of the deadly H5N1 virus have been reported in the affected Assam state, but authorities stepped up a health drive after 150 people developed some symptoms of the infection.

"About 150 people were treated for fever and upper respiratory tract infections in bird flu-hit areas. We have put the patients in isolation," senior health official Parthajyoti Gogoi told AFP.

Bird flu was ruled out in all cases, the official said.

The virus has spread in the past two weeks across six Assam districts, where an estimated 300,000 people live in the affected areas.

More than 250,000 poultry have been slaughtered so far and an estimated 150,000 more have been ordered to be killed.

The government was "worried" about the infection spreading to humans, as authorities may not be able to cope, local health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said.

The sale of poultry and poultry products has been banned in most parts of the state.

India reported its worst outbreak of bird flu early this year in the eastern state of West Bengal.

The WHO says the deadly H5N1 strain has killed nearly 250 people, mostly in Southeast Asia, since 2003.

http://www.canada.com/topics/news/world/story.html?id=1066877

[HenryN]

Re: India - 150 Cases of Upper Respiratory Track Infections in Assam

Three lakh birds culled in bird flu-hit Assam
12 Dec 2008, 2055 hrs IST, PTI

GUWAHATI: Nearly three lakh chicken have been culled and more than 3.5 lakh people are under surveillance in nine districts of the state affected by
bird flu.
Regional Director of Union Health and Welfare Department Parthajyoti Gogoi said that so far birdflu has not affected any person and 150 persons suffering from fever and upper respiratory infection (URI) in the affected districts were found not to have been infected by the virus.
However, the health authorities were keeping more than 3.5 lakh people in the nine districts under surveillance and four central teams of three doctors each were camping in the state to provide assistance to local doctors, he said.
The central teams are camping in Kamrup, Barpeta, Nalbari and Hajo in Kamrup(Rural) district.
The health workers have also been urged to cooperate with the veterinary workers involved in culling operation in the affected districts of Kamrup (Rural), Kamrup (Metro) including Guwahati, Barpeta, Nalbari, Chirang, Baksa, Dibrugarh, Goalpara and Bongaigaon.
There was adequate stock of Tamiflu, surgical masks, personal protection equipment, N-95 masks and ventilators which are being provided to members of the culling team, Gogoi added.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Three_lakh_birds_culled_in_bird_flu-hit_Assam/rssarticleshow/3829918.cms

[HenryN]

Re: India - 150 Cases of Upper Respiratory Track Infections in Assam

Health scare in Indian state as bird flu spreads

37 minutes ago
GUWAHATI, India (AFP) ? Medical workers were going door-to-door to look for people with symptoms of avian influenza in northeast India Friday as the infection in birds spread further, officials said.
So far, no human cases of infection of the deadly H5N1 virus have been reported in the affected Assam state, but authorities stepped up a health drive after 150 people developed some symptoms of the infection.
"About 150 people were treated for fever and upper respiratory tract infections in bird flu-hit areas. We have put the patients in isolation," senior health official Parthajyoti Gogoi told AFP.
Bird flu was ruled out in all cases, the official said.
The virus has spread in the past two weeks across six Assam districts, where an estimated 300,000 people live in the affected areas.
More than 250,000 poultry have been slaughtered so far and an estimated 150,000 more have been ordered to be killed.
The government was "worried" about the infection spreading to humans, as authorities may not be able to cope, local health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said.
The sale of poultry and poultry products has been banned in most parts of the state.
India reported its worst outbreak of bird flu early this year in the eastern state of West Bengal.
The WHO says the deadly H5N1 strain has killed nearly 250 people, mostly in Southeast Asia, since 2003.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iYPQKI5TsHwVTGMG0X-YsrQkS_Xw

[HenryN]

Re: India: Assam, AVIAN INFLUENZA A/H5N1 IN POULTRY (December 2008+)

Assam steps up flu surveillance
13 Dec 2008, 0239 hrs IST, Naresh Mitra & Rishu Kalantry, TNN

GUWAHATI/TINSUKIA: The Assam health department has stepped up surveillance on human beings in the bird flu-hit districts. Health officials said
about 300,000 people were under strict surveillance in the six districts where avian influenza was reported. National Rural Health Mission (Assam) director Partha Gogoi said no case of human infection has been reported so far.
Gogoi added that at least 150 people, who were found suffering from fever in the affected districts, were actually suffering from common cold. "We are keeping a close watch on the health of these people at places where bird flu has been detected. So far, no human infection has been reported. We are also ready with medical teams and necessary drugs in case any human infection is found,'' Gogoi said.
Sufficient quantity of Tamiflu, the drug that is used to treat avian influenza, has been stocked in adequate quantity to treat people if they get infected with bird flu. Five medical teams, comprising medicine specialists, epidemiologists and microbiologists, are monitoring the situation in the affected districts.
On Friday, culling operations continued at a government farm in the city's Khanapara area, Jalah in Kamrup district's Bejera area and ward no 6 in Dibrugarh. Altogether 1,343 fowls were culled by Rapid Response Team personnel at the Central Chicks Rearing farm of the veterinary and animal husbandry department in the Khanapara area on Thursday. Bird flu was confirmed in the government farm after 30 birds died there a few days ago.
Hours before the culling operations started in Dibrugarh, a Central official arrived here on Friday to oversee the process. According to sources, observer Dipankar Biswas, regional officer of the central veterinary department's eastern region, will prepare a report on the culling process. Culling started at the shop of Biswajit Roy in the town's Ward No 6. On Wednesday, the first case of bird flu was detected in this shop. Culling will be getting over in three to four days.
"On the first day, five teams of four members each were pressed into action. Several birds were culled by the end of the day,'' said R Das, district veterinary officer (Dibrugarh).
"Culling started in Chiring Sapori of Ward Number 6 and will be carried out within a radius of three km,'' Das said. "It is a door-to-door operation and will take three-four days to cull all birds in the marked area. A map has been prepared to facilitate members of the culling team. Members of these teams have also received the anti-virus injection to prevent any infection to them.''
"An estimated 40,000 birds, including ducks, are likely to be culled,'' Das added. Earlier, the Dibrugarh district administration had prohibited sale and import of poultry and poultry products to the district after detection of bird flu. A similar ban has been imposed in Tinsukia district.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Assam_steps_up_flu_surveillance/articleshow/3830075.cms

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: India: Assam, AVIAN INFLUENZA A/H5N1 IN POULTRY (December 2008+)

Bird flu out of control in Assam

UNI

Saturday, December 13th, 2008


GUWAHATI: Bird flu is out of control in Assam and the state has sent an urgent SOS to the Centre for help in terms of finance, technology and manpower to stop further spread of almost pandemic avian flu putting human beings to high risk of acquiring the virus.

Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi late on Friday night summoned an emergency meeting of his crack team of bureaucrats and reviewed the whole situation as almost the entire Brahmaputra valley was in the grip of the avian flu.

?It is getting very serious. We have gone all out but the way it was spreading, it will be very difficult to manage,? the Chief Minister said to his top bureaucrats, who were summoned to his residence to formulate a combat strategy.

Union Agriculture Secretary J Gopalkumaran has flown in to oversee the culling operation as the state machinery was racing against time to fight the disease.

More than 2.5 lakh chickens were already culled but it was decided at the meeting to cull the entire bird stock of the Brahmaputra valley to get rid of the crisis as the H5N1 virus was notorious to spread under 20 degrees Centigrade.

?With temperature continuing to be lower for the month or so, it has become more important to see that bird flu is stopped now? said state Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sharma, who also attended the crucial meeting.

The possibility of human infection in any of the North East states could also not be ruled out as the bird flu virus was reportedly brought in by migratory birds, which seek home all over the region.

The government had proved ill-equipped to check its further spread and is now alarmed at any possibility of human infection, with Dr Sharma admitting, ?If it transmits to human beings, we don't have infrastructure to meet the crisis.?

So far more than 250 patients were treated for upper respiratory infection which has close symptoms like avian flu but fortunately none of them had been transmitted bird flu. Dr Sharma maintained that few patients could be treated but contamination would jump upwards fast and then the state would be faced with a great problem.

The Minister claimed that the state has stocked medicines for treating affected people but only in about 50 per cent cases, the patients respond to the medications.

As many as nine districts have been confirmed of the outbreak of bird flu, including Guwahati, with all other districts also highly exposed to the possibility of being affected.

?We are working hard but due to low temperature, it is spreading fast,? Veterinary department Director Dr A K Kotoky said.

The state has sought additional Rs three crore as compensation package to the owners of birds, which are to be culled.

Sale and export of poultry has already been banned, but imposition of ban was proving to be a problem due to low awareness level and casual attitude of consumers.

Price of red meat has skyrocketed as that of fish with fast-food business also severely hit.

?Local people are not cooperating with us and it will have a catastrophic effect, far more than any other calamity,? Mr Kotoky warned.

http://www.sakaaltimes.com/2008/12/13131303/Bird-flu-out-of-control-in-Ass.html

[Commonground]

Re: India: Assam, AVIAN INFLUENZA A/H5N1 IN POULTRY (December 2008+)

We (treyfish and I) would like any help anyone can give, to translate this article. We have tried numerous ways, but cannot copy and paste, or use google translation.

http://www.assamiyakhabor.com/3rd.htm

http://www.assamiyakhabor.com/index.htm

[hawkeye]

Re: India: Assam, AVIAN INFLUENZA A/H5N1 IN POULTRY (December 2008+)

I've pulled the Flash apart. All of the text is an image. I tried to use OCR on it, but I need a font with these characters. Probably the best route is to have someone read/translate the article.

I've extracted the source image and have attached it.

hope that helps.

We (treyfish and I) would like any help anyone can give, to translate this article. We have tried numerous ways, but cannot copy and paste, or use google translation.

http://www.assamiyakhabor.com/3rd.htm

http://www.assamiyakhabor.com/index.htm

[Treyfish]

Re: India: Assam, AVIAN INFLUENZA A/H5N1 IN POULTRY (December 2008+)

Thanks, Hawkeye! Still trying!

[hawkeye]

Re: India: Assam, AVIAN INFLUENZA A/H5N1 IN POULTRY (December 2008+)

Why are more medicine and equipment being shipped to "cope with the situation", when apparently no one is infected. *If* there is a situation, I hope they have more ventilators on the way.

Experts sent to India's Assam on bird flu scare
Sat Dec 13, 2008 3:12pm IST

GUWAHATI, India, Dec 13 (Reuters) - India rushed two more teams of bird flu experts to the northeastern state of Assam to step up surveillance after nearly 100 people showed signs of the virus, health officials said on Saturday.

Health workers have yet to confirm any human cases of H5N1, but they said patients in six districts were suffering from fever and respiratory infections, which are symptoms of the virus in humans.

"No human cases of H5N1 have been confirmed in the state. But we are on maximum alert," Himanta Biswa Sarma, Assam's Health minister, said.

Three teams of federal medical experts, including epidemiologists and microbiologists, are keeping a close watch on humans in affected areas of the oil- and tea-producing state.

The medical teams brought supplies of equipment as a preventative measure in case the virus spreads to humans, including 10,000 Tamiflu capsules, 6,000 surgical masks and two ventilators.

"More medicines and equipment will reach here in the next two days to cope up with the situation," Sarma said.

Veterinary officials have slaughtered more than 300,000 chickens and ducks since late November, after the virus was detected in poultry last month in a village close to Guwahati, the region's main city.

More than 400 rapid response teams have been formed for culling operations in areas affected by the disease, which experts suspect was carried by migratory birds. Continued...

[Giuseppe]

Re: India: Assam, AVIAN INFLUENZA A/H5N1 IN POULTRY (December 2008+)

Status Report on Avian Influenza in Assam (11.12.08) [GOVT OF INDIA - MIN. OF HEALTH]

Government of India - Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

Status Report on Avian Influenza in Assam (11.12.08)

[Original text at LINK]

Department of Animal Husbandry had notified avian influenza in Block Gobardhana, Barpeta District and Block West Nalbari, Nalbari District (on 4.12.08) in Rani and Rampur block of Kamrup district (01.12.2008) and Hajo block of Kamrup district (27.11.08). Further outbreaks have been notified on 10.12.2008 in Block Sidli Chirang [District Chirang] and Bezera, Guwahati Municipality [District Kamrup] and Dibrugarh Municipality [District Dibrugarh].

A status update is as under:

* Central Teams are stationed in the blocks of Hajo; Rani and Rampur in Kamrup district; Barpeta and Nalbari districts where the outbreaks are notified.
* Teams for other affected areas of District Chirang and Dibrugarh have been constituted and are being deputed.

I. Kamrup district:

In the Hajo block of Kamrup district:
-- The total population of 23473 in 0-3 km area, spread over 25 villages is under active surveillance of which a population of 17,394 was covered under active surveillance on 10.12.2008 . In 3-10 km a population of 1,57,7896 have been covered.
-- Two cases of URI with fever were reported. No cases of Influenza like illness with history of contact with infected poultry have been detected in the community.
-- Four cases with Upper Respiratory Tract infection have been identified in the out patient Department of the identified hospital but none of them has any history of exposure to sick/dead poultry.
-- A total of 51,397 birds have been culled so far. Mopping up and sanitization operations have started in Hajo block by Department of Animal husbandry.
-- 31 animal health workers and 5 hospital staffs are on chemoprophylaxis.

- Rampur Blocks of Kamrup District.

-- A population of 34,825 has been covered in the 0-3 km area by active surveillance. A total of 8 cases of URI and fever have been detected. None of them had history of exposure to infected poultry.
-- In the 3-10 Km a population of 20,457 has been covered.
-- Passive surveillance is done in all health facilities. 70 cases of URI and fever have been detected and none of them has history of exposure to infected poultry.
-- So far a total of 1,91,069 birds have been culled.
-- 80 Animal health workers are on chemoprophylaxis.

- Azara/Rani Block of Kamrup District

-- Out of a total population of 8572 in 24 villages in 0-3 km radius, a population of 7326 has been covered. In 3-10 km area, a population of 12,203 have been covered.
-- Seven cases of fever and upper respiratory infections were identified in 0-3 km area. None of them had any history of exposure to sick or dead birds.
-- In the identified hospital a total of 19 fever and URI cases have reported. None of them had any exposure history to infected poultry.
-- So far, 7,202 birds have been culled.
-- 73 animal health workers are on chemoprophylaxis.

II. Barpeta district

-- In 0-3 km radius, a population of 7,926 have been surveyed and the surveillance in 3-10 km is being initiated.
-- 90 cases of fever with URI have been detected in the 0-3 km area. None of them had exposure history.
-- So far, 12,131 birds have been culled.
- 110 animal health workers have been put under Tamiflu Chemoprophylaxis.

III. Nalbari district

-- In 0-3 km radius, a population of 11,222 have been covered. In 3-10 km area Surveillance has been started and a population 3,679 have been covered.
-- Seven cases of fever with URI has been detected in the 0-3 km area and none had exposure history.
-- So far, 10,173 birds have been culled.
-- 101 animal health workers have been put under Tamiflu Chemoprophylaxis.

- Isolation facilities have been strengthened to admit and treat suspect cases.
- 10,000 capsules of Tamiflu, 6,000 surgical masks, 600 personal protective equipments, 200 N-95 masks and two ventilators have been supplied by MoHFW. Additional logistics of 5000 Tamiflu, 300 PPE, 100 N-95 masks and 3000 three layered surgical masks are being sent.
- Communication materials in Assamese (both print and media) developed by MOHFW and UNICEF, covering human and animal health has been provided to the state Government through the local UNICEF Office.

The situation is being monitored on a daily basis.
-
-----

[HenryN]

Re: India: Assam, AVIAN INFLUENZA A/H5N1 IN POULTRY (December 2008+)

The 60 cases in Barpeta were alarming. Now it is 90 (and still only 20% of population has been surveyed).

[HenryN]

Re: India: Assam, AVIAN INFLUENZA A/H5N1 IN POULTRY (December 2008+)

No report of bird flu in humans yet
</B>Staff reporter
GUWAHATI, Dec 13 ? The bird flu-related situation in the State is under control. But the State Government has been requested by the Central team of experts to expedite the process of poultry culling in the affected areas and to conduct such operations comprehensively. The State Government has also been requested to cordon off the affected areas. The Meghalaya Government has also been requested by the Central team of veterinary experts to undertake culling of poultry in its territory adjacent to Khanapara area of the city.

Reports of unusual death of poultry have also come from Chaulpara village in Akhoifuta area under Kheluwa Development Block of Sivasagar District, Naoboicha Development Block of Lakhimpur District, Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) Ward No 37 (Kharghuli area) of the city and Dolongpar village under Tamulput Development Block of Baksa District.

Samples of the birds from these places have been sent to the Bhopal-based High Security Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (HSADL) and Pune-based National Institute of Virology (NIV). 37 samples of birds from the wildlife sanctuaries of the State have also been sent to the above laboratories. Preventive culling of poultry were undertaken at Chaulpara village, Naoboicha and Kharghuli areas today. Altogether 93 Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) are conducting the culling operations in the State.

Five persons in Hajo Revenue Circle, 68 persons in Rampur Development Block and 23 in Azara Development Block who have been suffering from upper respiratory tract infection (URI), have been kept under active surveillance by the Health Department. However, no case of transmission of bird flu virus to humans has been reported from any part of the State so far.

The State Government has asked the Veterinary Department to set up an HSADL-like laboratory in the State and offered to bear the cost for the purpose.

N Gokul Ram, Secretary, Animal Husbandry, Veterinary and Dairy of the Union Agriculture Ministry said at a press conference here this morning that culling in five flu-infected locations of the State were completed. The deadline for completion of such operations in the other four affected locations was set to be December 16. Gokul Ram had led a three-member Central team on a two-day visit to the State for taking stock of the bird flu-related situation.

Meanwhile, State Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma this afternoon reiterated at another press conference that the State Health Department does not have the required infrastructure to treat thousands of patients in the event of large-scale transmission of bird flu to humans. The MMC Hospital in the city has one isolation unit ready at present for treating patients with bird flu virus infection. The Central Government has supplied the State five ventilators on loan. Expeditious culling of the birds in the affected areas is hence to be resorted to for preventing such a disaster, the Minister said.

Dr AK Bandopadhaya, Commissioner, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary of Agriculture Ministry, who was also present in the morning press conference, told the newspersons that the source of infection and how the disease spread to newer areas remained to be confirmed. However, the transportation of poultry from the affected areas and the State?s porus border with Bangladesh might be the two reasons, among others, for the present developments, he said.

But he maintained that there was nothing exceptional in the way the disease spread in the State.

Gokul told the news persons that the loss incurred by the State might touch several crores of rupees, though an estimation is yet to be made to ascertain the exact amount. He also informed that the exact number of farmers affected by the phenomenon also remained to be ascertained.

Sarma told the news persons that the State Government would pay compensation at enhanced rates to the farmers, who had lost their poultry in the culling operations, with effect from November 29 last when the culling of poultry started in the State. Moreover, the Government will also bear the interest subsidy on the bank loans of such farmers and arrange for their re-employment under the Assam Vikas Yojana.

The Government would also pay Rs 10 per bird for a month to those poultry farmers living within the 3-10 km radius area of epicentres of the outbreak.

The Veterinary Department has 432 RRTs at present and the Chief Minister has directed the Department to raise it to 1,000. But this will take time, said the Minister.

The Minister also apprised the newspersons that till yesterday 3,17, 673 birds were culled, 1,60,995 eggs and 11,000 kgs of poultry feed were destroyed. It is estimated that during the culling operations 5,36,000 birds will be killed, the Minister said.

http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/...d=dec1408/at06

[Treyfish]

Re: India: Assam, AVIAN INFLUENZA A/H5N1 IN POULTRY (December 2008+)

Berdfloo out of the situation in Assam

Dec 13, 03:15 pm

Guwahati
Berdfloo in the state of Assam is out. Given its magnitude, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi of the late Friday meeting with dignitaries and help from the central government Guahar did. His view of the order on Saturday Berdfloo State Haialrt has been declared. Two of the state and North Lakhimpur district of Sivasagar and also in the grip of Berdfloo has come. Meanwhile, drugs with the central team has reached here.
Here, the border districts of North Bengal in the wake of Berdfloo Brti vigilance is going. The Chief Minister of Health officials in the affected areas of special awareness campaign and has directed. Sivasagar and North Lakhimpur districts in Berdfloo outbreak after the number of affected districts has risen eleven.
Union Animal Husbandry Secretary Ann. Ram said gokul those two districts to examine the blood samples have been sent to Pune and Bhopal. Assam officials yesterday he considered the future strategy. Given the gravity of the situation reached the central area of the visiting team is different.
Medical experts with the center for investigation also has sent special equipment and medicines. The Center still ten thousand Tamiefloo capsule, six thousand two surgical masks and have sent ventilator. Experts think that migrants in Assam birds with the disease came because of the virus's spread. Assam in the cold as soon as millions of migratory birds come from Siberia. Assam's health minister, Dr. Sharma said that Himant world sick people in the affected areas to other people apart from keeping the treatment is being made. This case came to light here is that government compensation rate of rural low due to hide the chickens do. So in the affected areas to kill is incomplete. Despite the decline in Kamrup district on charges of selling chicken Wyhaprion six have been arrested. http://74.125.93.104/translate_c?hl=en&langpair=hi%7Cen&u=http://in.jagran.yahoo.com/news/national/general/5_1_5068303.html&prev=/translate_s%3Fhl%3Den%26q%3DKANPUR%252B%2BFEVER%25 2B%2BAUGUST%2B%2B2008%26sl%3Den%26tl%3Dhi&usg=ALkJ rhiDJMXRvnmJ33kFyUdMGwPnwcSIkw

[HenryN]

Re: India: Assam, AVIAN INFLUENZA A/H5N1 IN POULTRY (December 2008+)

The big jump in hospitalized cases is in Rampur, which now has 70 hospitalized

[Sally Furniss]

Re: India - 150 Human Cases of Upper Respiratory Track Infections in Assam

Translation from Arabic

New Delhi / Indian Health services have launched preventive measures to prevent the transmission of avian influenza virus among humans after the emergence of dozens of suspected human cases infected with the disease.
The Indian health authorities have sent experts to bird flu in Assam state in north-east of the country and sought to set up isolation units to deal with up to ninety people showed symptoms of infection with the disease.

Health officials would not confirm any post-infection (5, 1 HP) but said that some patients suffering from fever and respiratory infection symptoms of infection a human disease.

Veterinary officials in Assam tea and oil-rich executed more than 250 thousand chickens and ducks in the past two weeks after the discovery of the virus in poultry last month, a village close to Guwahati, the main city in the region.

The Minister of Health Himanta Biswa Sarma, Assam for the establishment and isolation units to treat patients who have not yet been proven incapable of. He described the possibility of transmission of the disease among humans that would be a major catastrophe.

......

http://news.naseej.com/Detail.asp?InSectionID=132&InNewsItemID=295151