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

[Shiloh]

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

Source: http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=46229

Status Report on Avian Influenza in Assam and West Bengal as on 29.12.08
12:39 IST

West Bengal

Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, GOI has notified Avian Influenza Outbreak in Englishbazar block, Malda District of West Bengal on 15.12.2008. Containment measures are continuing. Culling operation completed. 220 animal health workers are under chemoprophylaxis. The active surveillance in 0-3 Km is continuing. Surveillance in 3-10 Km has also started in phases. 96 health workers have been deployed for active surveillance. Surveillance data is at Annexure-I. The State Govt has adequate stock of ventilators, PPE and Oseltamivir

Assam

The first notification of Avian Influenza in Assam was in Hajo block of Kamrup district on 27.11.2008. Since then 17 other epicenters have been notified. The details of the epicenters are at Annexure-II. Containment operations are being instituted in the new epicenters.

Brief of containment operations

? Culling activities has been completed in all earlier notified blocks. Mopping up and sanitization are underway. So far a total of cumulative 4,21,057 birds have been culled.

? A total of 256 Animal Health workers, who were deployed for the culling activity are on Chemoprophylaxis [as on 26.12.2008].

Surveillance

? Central government has deployed RRTs to cover all epicenters. They are working with the state RRT teams.

? Active house to house surveillance for 10 days post culling/ mopping is over in Rajabazar [Hajo block], Sarpara [Rampur], Central Chick farm [Khanapara] in Kamrup district, Katajhar [Gobardhana block] of Barpeta District, Khelwari Para pt II [Boitamari Block] of Bongaigaon district and Kathla [Paschim Nalbari] of Nalbari District. In these areas passive surveillance is continuing.

? In the remaining affected areas active house to house surveillance is being followed in 0-3 km zone In 3-10 km area surveillance is conducted in phases. As per the reports received, a population of 2,60,834 was covered in 0-3 Km area and 64,277 in 3-10 km area.

? 96 cases of Upper Respiratory Infection [URI] with fever were detected [67 in 0-3 Km and 29 in 3-10 Km]. None of them had history of handling dead or sick birds.

? 32 cases of URI with fever in the outpatient department were detected in the identified health facilities.

? 712 Health Workers are deployed for surveillance.

? Available details of epicenter-wise surveillance is at annexure-I.

Logistics

40,000 capsules of Tamiflu, 12,000 surgical masks, 1200 personal protective equipments, 400 N-95 masks, 50 bottles of tamiflu syrup and 8 ventilators have been supplied by MoHFW. Sufficient anti-viral drugs and PPE are in stock with the State Government.

Communication

? Messages to create public awareness are being telecast/ broadcast in local channels and AIR.

? Local campaign such as miking and interpersonal communication is followed in all epicenters.

Monitoring

? The situation is being monitored on a daily basis.

[HenryN]

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

Culling operations in 11 areas over
</B>Staff reporter
GUWAHATI, Dec 29 ? Culling of poultry and disinfection operations in the State?s eleven epicentres of bird flu have been completed and sanitation certificates for nine of these locations have also been issued to the Central Government by the State. Culling and disinfection operations in the epicentres are taken up to prevent spread of the dreaded disease to new areas. Altogether 18 locations in the State reported outbreak of the disease in a span of around one month since November 27 last.

Highly places sources in the Veterinary Department said here today that culling operations had also been completed in the 3 km-radius areas around Doloigaon in Bongaigaon district, which reported outbreak of the disease most recently.

Though culling operations in the 3 km radius areas around Manahkuchi and Rongamati in Kamrup district are expected to be over by December 31, similar operations in the 3 km radius areas of Bardulipara village in Baksa and Nilibari village in Chirang District are expected to take a few more days to be completed, said the sources.

Meanwhile, culling operations in the 3 km radius around Urputmaniaritiniali in Kamrup District started today, said the sources.

The State Government today launched the rehabilitation programme for the benefit of 5,600 families in Dhubri District and 6,300 families in Kokrajhar District whose poultry populations were killed as a preventive measure last year in the event of bird flu outbreak in the neighbouring West Bengal. State Veterinary Minister Khorsing Engty launched the programme at Srirampur and Agamoni in Kokrajhar and Dhubri Districts respectively in presence of the senior officers of the Veterinary Department, said the sources.

Under the programme, each of the beneficiary families will get two pigs or three she goats free of cost and one he goat will be provided to a cluster of seven such families living in the same area, said the sources.

http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/details.asp?id=dec3008/at06

[Treyfish]

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

<TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=1 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD>Reorganization of Agriculture Department demanded
By our Staff Reporter
GUWAHATI, Aug 24: The Assam Agricultural Officers? Association has submitted a memorandum to the Assam Pay Commission demanding the reorganization of the Agriculture Department by eliminating 2 cadres out of cadres in the Assam Agricultural Service. It said that this would create more promotion avenues for the officers.
The association also demanded parity in status and scale of pay of the graduate degree holders of agriculture, veterinary, medical science and engineering at the entry point in their respective service as decided by the Government of Asom in August 1977. The association said that since officers and staff working in the field and laboratories are exposed to poisonous substances, hazard allowance should be provided for the employees.http://www.sentinelassam.com/index.htm

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

[Shiloh]

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

Source: http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=46207

Status Report on Avian Influenza in Assam and West Bengal as on 28.12.08
12:34 IST

WEST BENGAL

Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, GOI has notified Avian Influenza Outbreak in Englishbazar block, Malda District of West Bengal on 15.12.2008. Containment measures are continuing. Culling operation completed. 222 animal health workers are under chemoprophylaxis. The active surveillance in 0-3 Km is continuing. Surveillance in 3-10 Km has also started in phases. 453 health workers have been deployed for active surveillance. Surveillance data is at Annexure-I. The State Govt has adequate stock of ventilators, PPE and Oseltamivir

Assam

The first notification of Avian Influenza in Assam was in Hajo block of Kamrup district on 27.11.2008. Since then 17 other epicenters have been notified. The details of the epicenters are at Annexure-II. Containment operations are being instituted in the new epicenters.

Brief of containment operations

? Culling activities has been completed in all earlier notified blocks. Mopping up and sanitization are underway. So far a total of cumulative 4,21,057 birds have been culled.

? A total of 233 Animal Health workers, who were deployed for the culling activity are on Chemoprophylaxis [as on 26.12.2008].

Surveillance

? Central government has deployed RRTs to cover all epicenters. They are working with the state RRT teams.

? Active house to house surveillance for 10 days post culling/ mopping is over in Rajabazar [Hajo block], Sarpara [Rampur], Central Chick farm [Khanapara] in Kamrup district, Katajhar [Gobardhana block] of Barpeta District, Khelwari Para pt II [Boitamari Block] of Bongaigaon district and Kathla [Paschim Nalbari] of Nalbari District. In these areas passive surveillance is continuing.

? In the remaining affected areas active house to house surveillance is being followed in 0-3 km zone In 3-10 km area surveillance is conducted in phases. As per the reports received from the epicenters, a population of 1,93,123 was covered in 0-3 Km area and 94,467 in 3-10 km area.

? 87 cases of Upper Respiratory Infection [URI] with fever were detected [69 in 0-3 Km and 18 in 3-10 Km]. None of them had history of handling dead or sick birds.

? 32 cases of URI with fever in the outpatient department were detected in the identified health facilities.

? Available details of epicenter-wise surveillance is at annexure-I.

Logistics

40,000 capsules of Tamiflu, 12,000 surgical masks, 1200 personal protective equipments, 400 N-95 masks, 50 bottles of tamiflu syrup and 8 ventilators have been supplied by MoHFW. Sufficient anti-viral drugs and PPE are in stock with the State Government.

Communication

? Messages to create public awareness are being telecast/ broadcast in local channels and AIR.

? Local campaign such as miking and interpersonal communication is followed in all epicenters.

Monitoring

? The situation is being monitored on a daily basis.

*****

DS

[HenryN]

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

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 18px; COLOR: #0253b7; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Fresh bird flu outbreak in Assam</TD></TR><TR><TR><TD style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 11px; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Supratim Dey / Kolkata/ Guwahati December 29, 2008, 0:19 IST</TD></TR><TR><TD style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: url(/images/common/gn_005.gif); BACKGROUND-REPEAT: repeat-x"></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
At a time when it appeared that the bird flu virus was waning out in Assam, confirmation of fresh outbreak in five new locations has stunned everyone.
The new locations are one each in Nagaon, Baska and Bongaigaon districts and two in Kamrup district.
Sources said that containment operations are being instituted in the new epicenters. The central rapid response team, stationed at Barpeta, has swung into action in Baksa district. New team has been sent to Nagaon district whereas the teams already in Kamrup and Bongaigoan districts have moved into new locations in these districts.
The avian influenza virus was first detected in a village in Hajo block of Kamrup (rural) district on November 27. It's almost a month past and the state and the central governments are still grappling to control the virus. Bird flu outbreak in Assam has been the most deadliest outbreak in India till now. Nowhere in the country in the recent times did it take such a long time to control the outbreak.
Till now, 4,08,379 birds have been culled in nine locations across the state.
With bird flu spreading at an unprecedented rate, the state's poultry sector is reeling under losses and an uncertain future looms large. As per estimates made by the All Assam Poultry Farmers' Association (AAPFA), the state's poultry sector has incurred a loss of around Rs. 65 crore till recently.
Nearly 5.5 lakh people associated with poultry business in the Assam have been affected since the outbreak, said Rajiv Sarmah, president of AAPFA.
Sarmah said that the business has come to a complete halt across the state and as a result the lives of the farmers, most of whom are marginal, and others associated with the business, has become pitiable.
"Ban or no ban, poultry business has come to a grinding halt. It has really become very difficult for the farmers and others associated with the business to sustain their livelihood as their source of income has suddenly dried up," said Sarmah.
According to him, it would be difficult for marginal farmers to bounce back without the support of government as poultry business has been hit twice this year.
Earlier this year, due to outbreak of bird flu in West Bengal, the poultry sector of Assam too was hit as panic had gripped the state. According to Sarmah, almost 50 per cent of farmers will perish due to non-availability of funds if the government does not announce any scheme for their rehabilitation.
Since the outbreak of bird flu, 50 cases of Upper Respiratory Infection [URI], with fever, has been confirmed among humans. Those people are under surveillance and medical care.

http://business-standard.com/india/storypage.php?autono=344555

[Shiloh]

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

Source: http://www.indopia.in/India-usa-uk-n...ational/1/20/1

Culling continues in Assam, people resist operations
Published: December 28,2008

Guwahati , Dec 28 Culling operations continued in some areas of birdflu-hit Assam today but resistance by local people hampered the effort of the authorities to create&aposbird free zones&aposin some areas.

Official sources said here that culling operations continued in new areas of Nagaon and Chirang districts with the respective Deputy Commissioners issuing instructions to ensure that the operations did not get hampered.

Though the district administration had embarked on an awareness drive to educate the people about the perils of avian influenza and, villagers and poultry farmers opposed culling operation alleging that the compensation offered was not adequate.

Despite some opposition, authorities were working to create&aposbird free zones', to contain any spread of the H5N1 virus, in Manahkuchi, Chayani Barduar blocks of Kamrup (rural) district, Tihu, Barama of Baksa, Chachaligaon Burachowk of Nagaon and Rangamati and Aurpakmoniari area of Kamrup (Metro) district.

[HenryN]

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

Culling operation

Guwahati, Dec. 27: The veterinary department today launched culling operations in two new villages of Pathsala and Hajo revenue circles in Kamrup district following the outbreak of bird flu in these areas. he movement and sale of poultry products in these areas have been banned.

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1081228/jsp/northeast/story_10310490.jsp

[Treyfish]

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

Killer avian flu still spreading in Assam

Font size:
Editor 27 December, 2008 11:41:00
The killer Bird flu virus refuses to die down. It's spreading to new areas in Assam where culling of poultry has been going on since November 27.

According to information, cases of fresh bird flu attack were reported at Manahkuchi of Hajo and Chayani Barduar block in Kamrup (Rural) district, where the disease was first detected.

Some fresh areas to be hit by the virus are Tihu- Barama of Baksa district, Chachaligaon Burachowk village in Nagaon district, Rangamati, Aurpakmoniari Tiniali in Kamrup (Metro) district and Doloigaon Uzanpara in Bongaigaon district.

With seven new locations identified so far, 19 epicentres were stated to be affected by avian flu in seven districts of Assam.

Notably, 150 villages have been declared bird flu-hit, for which 1,720 rapid response teams were deployed. Almost two lakh eggs and 14,000 kg of bird feed have been destroyed since the beginning of culling. http://www.assamtimes.org/hot-news/2490.html

[Commonground]

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

The association, in a statement here today, alleged that the bird flu-related culling operations have led to hardship of around 15,00,000 of its members.

They have no clue what "hardships" they could endure.

[HenryN]

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

Poultry traders to demonstrate
Staff Reporter
GUWAHATI, Dec 26 ? Members of the All Assam Poultry Traders? Association will stage a sit-in demonstration at the Lakhidhar Bora Kshetra here on December 29 demanding a favourable arrangement to resume their business.

The association, in a statement here today, alleged that the bird flu-related culling operations have led to hardship of around 15,00,000 of its members.

These poultry traders are now eating up their working capital too, while the official reports concerning the bird flu outbreak are also not transparent, it said.

The association has also called for steps to make the Bhopal-based High Security Animal Disease Laboratory (HSADL) reports on the Assam bird-flu outbreak incidents public.

http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/details.asp?id=dec2708/City1

[HenryN]

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

Bird flu spreads to more areas in Assam


Guwahati: Bird flu has spread to new areas in Assam, where culling of poultry has been going on since November 27. Sources in the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department said new cases were reported at Manahkuchi of the Hajo and Chayani Barduar block in Kamrup (rural) district, where the disease was first detected.
Other fresh areas hit by the virus are Tihu-Barama of Baksa district, Chachaligaon Burachowk village in Nagaon district, Rangamati, Aurpakmoniari Tiniali in Kamrup (Metro) district and Doloigaon Uzanpara in Bongaigaon district. — PTI

http://www.hindu.com/2008/12/27/stories/2008122758240100.htm

[Shiloh]

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

Source: http://www.thestatesman.net/page.new...ss=1&id=237844

Centre monitoring Bird Flu in Assam, Bengal

Statesman News Service
NEW DELHI, Dec. 26: The Centre is monitoring the situation in West Bengal and Assam where culling operations are on following outbreak of Avian Influenza. It has sent expert teams and medicines.
According to sources, the flu has spread to new districts in Assam. The fresh areas to be hit by the virus are Tihu- Barama of Baksa district, Chachaligaon Burachowk village in Nagaon district, Rangamati, Aurpakmoniari Tiniali in Kamrup (Metro) district and Doloigaon Uzanpara in Bongaigaon district, the sources said.
Apart from active surveillance and regular monitoring of the affected areas on daily basis following the review of the situation by the health minister, Dr Anbumani Ramadoss, regular culling of birds is being carried out to contain the flu from spreading.
As many as 32,495 birds have been culled in and 210 animal health workers put under chemoprophylaxis in Malda district of West Bengal following the outbreak of Avian Influenza.
Active surveillance is continuing in 0-3 km and 328 health workers have been deployed for active surveillance since the Centre notified the outbreak of the disease in English Bazaar block on 15 December. The state government has adequate stock of ventilators, PPE and Oseltamivir, according to an official release here.
In Assam, 3,235 birds have been culled taking the cumulative number of birds so far culled to 4,08,236. A total of 471 animal health workers, deployed for the culling activity are on chemoprophylaxis. Culling activities have been completed in all blocks except district Chirang while mopping up and sanitisation is underway in other blocks.

[Sally Furniss]

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

Dr. Kotki that almost half a million chicken Sade - the goal of killing chickens.

Guwahati. Bird flu affected districts in Assam owners of poultry because of stringent anti-chicken - the campaign to kill chickens is affected badly. Bird flu virus H 5 N 1 foot in the new areas between the State Government Pasarne strictly Shur to this campaign is looking at.

Director of the state's veterinary department, said Dr. AK Kotki rural work, Bongaigaon, Baksa and Naganv districts in the areas of new H 5 N 1 Huyi is confirmed. Kamrm, metro, light, Dibrugarh, and Nalbadi Barapeta addition to these districts in the first bird flu has been confirmed.

Dr. Kotki said a Naganv, and Baksa districts of Bongaigaon - a block and Kamrup, rural blocks in the two bird flu is confirmed Huyi. He said that nearly half a million chicken Sade - the goal of killing chickens. He said that the new areas in the chicken - to kill chickens Shur will be working tomorrow.

Control the spread of bird flu because of the failure to criticize the state government is now a victim of heavy poultry owners are facing opposition. Poultry owners in Naganv refuse to cooperate against the State Government had been demonstrated. They say the government is not fair compensation.

Official sources said poultry owners agreed to try to be if he is still not considered to be so hard keeping Akhtiar. He said that the H 5 N 1 after confirmation of chicken - has become necessary to kill the chickens.

http://khabar.josh18.com/news/6911/3

[HenryN]

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

Bird flu spreading to new areas in Assam


More than 500,000 poultry have been culled in Assam in the past one month while authorities on Friday warned that the bird flu virus was spreading to new areas, officials said.
An Assam government spokesman said the bird flu virus was confirmed in about 15 more villages and the authorities have ordered culling of an estimated 70,000 birds.
"So far about 150 villages in eight Assam districts were hit by bird flu and Rapid Response Teams have already slaughtered about 510,000 chickens and ducks since Nov 27," a veterinary department official said.
The new bird flu cases were reported from the districts of Kamrup (Metro), Kamrup (Rural), Baksa, Bongaigaon and Nagaon.
"We have so far identified 19 epicentres affected by bird flu in Assam. Culling operations in newly affected areas have already begun, while in some places the drive is almost complete," the official said.
An estimated amount of Rs.10.35 million was paid as compensation to people whose poultry were culled. In most parts of Assam authorities have banned sale and consumption of poultry and poultry products.
"It is a matter of worry as the virus has now spread to new areas. A maximum health alert has been sounded with teams of doctors and paramedics taking precautionary measures so that humans are not affected," Parthajyoti Gogoi, regional director (northeast) of the central health and family welfare department, told IANS.
The Indian health ministry confirmed outbreak of bird flu after laboratory tests found strains of the deadly H5N1 avian influenza.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?sectionName=NLetter&id=58bd6a19-9648-47bd-b2dc-2b42dee4d3ad&MatchID1=4874&TeamID1=1&TeamID2=3&MatchType1=1&SeriesID1=1229&PrimaryID=4874&Headline=Bird+flu+spreading+to+new+areas

[Shiloh]

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

Source: http://www.zeenews.com/states/2008-1...94021news.html

Bird flu spreads to new places in Assam

Guwahati, Dec 26: Bird flu has spread to new areas in Assam where culling of poultry has been going on since November 27.

Over five lakh chicken and ducks have been culled in the state.

Sources in the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department said cases of fresh bird flu attack were reported at Manahkuchi of Hajo and Chayani Barduar block in Kamrup (Rural) district, where the disease was first detected.

Other fresh areas to be hit by the virus are Tihu- Barama of Baksa district, Chachaligaon Burachowk village in Nagaon district, Rangamati, Aurpakmoniari Tiniali in Kamrup (Metro) district and Doloigaon Uzanpara in Bongaigaon district, the sources said.

Culling operations were initiated in the three-km radius area of the new bird flu-hit notified centres, while it continued in the previously notified areas.

With seven new locations notified, so far 19 epicentres were officially stated to be affected by avian flu in seven districts of Assam.

Nearly 150 villages have been declared bird flu-hit, for which 1,720 rapid response teams were deployed.

Almost two lakh eggs and 14,000 kg of bird feed have been destroyed since the beginning of culling.

Culling, mopping and disinfection operations were completed in nine centres of Kharghuli and Khanapara in Guwahati, Dibrugarh town, Rajabazar, Sarpara, Patgaon, Kathla, Katajhar and Bejerajalah.

Residents of Nalibari village in Chirang district resisted culling operations but veterinary officials were confident of convincing them to allow the anti-bird flu operation.

Compensation worth Rs 1.35 crore had so far been paid to the poultry owners, the sources said.

The affected districts are Kamrup (Metro), Kamrup (Rural), Nalbari, Barpeta, Chirang, Dibrugarh and Bongaigaon.

Bureau Report