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Source: http://www.thestatesman.net/page.news.php?clid=22&theme=&usrsess=1&id=230015
Bird Flu: State asked to be on alert
Statesman News Service
KOLKATA, Nov. 6: If the state animal resources development department (ARD) officials thought they could sit back and relax even after the containment of highly pathogenic H5N1 virus that spread to 16 districts in the state earlier this year, here is a word of caution from the Centre.
The department of animal husbandry, dairying and fisheries of the Union agriculture ministry has asked the state to maintain strong surveillance on poultry. The state is still being considered to be vulnerable to the H5N1 virus especially after the virus hit parts of north-eastern region of the country.
In a meeting that was held between the state ARD officials and the Centre's animal husbandry officials in Kolkata yesterday, the Centre made it clear that strong surveillance has to be maintained especially when migratory birds have started flying in to the country.
State ARD officials said the officials from the Centre have instructed the state to maintain strong surveillance in North Bengal and the bordering districts of Bangladesh as the deadly virus has been creating trouble in the neighbouring country for the past few months. The virus can hit the state again if proper surveillance is not carried out.
It can be recalled that in January, bird flu had spread rapidly in the state after it was first noticed in Birbhum. At that time, the Centre had repeatedly expressed dissatisfaction over the state's inability to stop the spread of the virus in the initial stage, that ultimately led to the spread of the virus to 16 districts of the state.
A senior state ARD official, said, ?Perhaps the Centre wants us to be cautious from the very beginning this year after last time's experience. But one has to understand that the outbreak had occurred in the backyard poultry and for which no proper plan was in place. But we have learnt a lot from the previous experience and this time we are leaving no stone unturned.?
Health minister
The state health minister, Dr Surjya Kanta Mishra today urged district magistrates and sabhadipatis in the state to work together in order to avoid the outbreak of Bird Flu this winter. Dr Mishra was speaking at a seminar organised by the state Animal Resource Development department at Sishir Mancha today. He further added that the disease already afflicted many in Bangladesh and this time too, the state is being considered to be vulnerable to the virus. The only way to avoid high loss is to generate awareness among people about its symptoms and effect of the fatal disease. He also assured that a medical team will soon visit the districts to check the availability of essential equipment required to combat Bird Flu.
Bird Flu: State asked to be on alert
Statesman News Service
KOLKATA, Nov. 6: If the state animal resources development department (ARD) officials thought they could sit back and relax even after the containment of highly pathogenic H5N1 virus that spread to 16 districts in the state earlier this year, here is a word of caution from the Centre.
The department of animal husbandry, dairying and fisheries of the Union agriculture ministry has asked the state to maintain strong surveillance on poultry. The state is still being considered to be vulnerable to the H5N1 virus especially after the virus hit parts of north-eastern region of the country.
In a meeting that was held between the state ARD officials and the Centre's animal husbandry officials in Kolkata yesterday, the Centre made it clear that strong surveillance has to be maintained especially when migratory birds have started flying in to the country.
State ARD officials said the officials from the Centre have instructed the state to maintain strong surveillance in North Bengal and the bordering districts of Bangladesh as the deadly virus has been creating trouble in the neighbouring country for the past few months. The virus can hit the state again if proper surveillance is not carried out.
It can be recalled that in January, bird flu had spread rapidly in the state after it was first noticed in Birbhum. At that time, the Centre had repeatedly expressed dissatisfaction over the state's inability to stop the spread of the virus in the initial stage, that ultimately led to the spread of the virus to 16 districts of the state.
A senior state ARD official, said, ?Perhaps the Centre wants us to be cautious from the very beginning this year after last time's experience. But one has to understand that the outbreak had occurred in the backyard poultry and for which no proper plan was in place. But we have learnt a lot from the previous experience and this time we are leaving no stone unturned.?
Health minister
The state health minister, Dr Surjya Kanta Mishra today urged district magistrates and sabhadipatis in the state to work together in order to avoid the outbreak of Bird Flu this winter. Dr Mishra was speaking at a seminar organised by the state Animal Resource Development department at Sishir Mancha today. He further added that the disease already afflicted many in Bangladesh and this time too, the state is being considered to be vulnerable to the virus. The only way to avoid high loss is to generate awareness among people about its symptoms and effect of the fatal disease. He also assured that a medical team will soon visit the districts to check the availability of essential equipment required to combat Bird Flu.