India/Bengal/Tripura Bird Flu Spread to Humans?

Treyfish · Jan 22, 2008

Re: Bengal Bird Flu Spread to Humans?

Re: Bengal Bird Flu Spread to Humans?

Human samples test negative for bird flu

CNN-IBN

Published on Tue, Jan 22, 2008 at 14:55, Updated at Tue, Jan 22, 2008 in [URL="http://www.ibnlive.com/nation/"]Nation[/URL] section

Tags: Bird Flu, Murshidabad , New Delhi

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FLU FLEW: Malda is the seventh district to be affected by the deadly avian flu virus.

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New Delhi: Bird flu is spreading fast in West Bengal.

Five human samples have tested negative for bird flu. The samples came from five people from Murshidabad who were exhibiting flu symptoms and had been kept under observation.

"The samples sent to National Institute of Virology, Pune, were found negative," confirmed state Animal Husbandry Minister, Anirsur Rehman.

Authorities have asked for random human samples to be sent for testing.

Malda is the seventh district to be affected by the deadly avian flu virus.
So far, the districts affected are North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas, Hooghly, Nadia, West Midnapur and Birbhum.

Around 20 million people live in these affected areas.

The number of culling teams have been increased from 60 to 400. But the teams are often being hounded out of villages and people are still preferring to consume their birds rather than handing them over for culling.

The situation is increasingly becoming worrisome in the state with a large backyard poultry population that mingles freely with ducks and wild birds. :tiphat:
http://www.ibnlive.com/news/bird-flu-not-struck-human-populace-yet/57122-3.html

sharon sanders · Jan 22, 2008

Re: Bengal Bird Flu Spread to Humans?

Re: Bengal Bird Flu Spread to Humans?

Hat tip Ironorehopper - Good Hygiene is Needed - Reservoirs of flu persist
Prevalence and diversity of avian influenza viruses in environmental reservoirs

<nobr>Andrew S. Lang<sup>1</sup></nobr>, <nobr>Anke Kelly<sup>2</sup></nobr> and <nobr>Jonathan A. Runstadler<sup>2</sup></nobr>
[SIZE=-1] <sup>1</sup> Department of Biology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St John's, NL A1B 3X9, Canada
<sup>2</sup> Institute of Arctic Biology, PO Box 757000, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK 99775, USA [/SIZE]

[SIZE=-1]Correspondence<sup> </sup>
Jonathan A. Runstadler<sup> </sup>
j.runstadler@uaf.edu<script type="text/javascript"></script>[/SIZE]
 Little is known about the ecology and evolution of avian influenza<sup> </sup>in the natural environment, despite how these affect the potential<sup> </sup>for transmission. Most work has focused on characterizing viruses<sup> </sup>isolated from hosts such as waterfowl, and there have also been<sup> </sup>several instances of isolation and detection from abiotic sources<sup> </sup>such as water and ice. We used RT-PCR to amplify and characterize<sup> </sup>the influenza virus sequences present in sediments of ponds<sup> </sup>that are used heavily by waterfowl. The detection rate of influenza<sup> </sup>virus was high (>50 %). Characterization of the viruses present<sup> </sup>by sequencing part of the haemagglutinin (HA) gene showed that<sup> </sup>there is a diverse collection of viruses in these sediments.<sup> </sup>We sequenced 117 partial HA gene clones from 11 samples and<sup> </sup>detected four different HA subtypes (H3, H8, H11 and H12), with<sup> </sup>approximately 65 % of clone sequences being unique. This culture-independent<sup> </sup>approach was also able to detect a virus subtype that was not<sup> </sup>found by sampling of birds in the same geographical region in<sup> </sup>the same year. Viruses were detected readily in the winter when<sup> </sup>the ponds were frozen, indicating that these sediments could<sup> </sup>be a year-to-year reservoir of viruses to infect birds using<sup> </sup>the ponds, although we have not shown that these viruses are<sup> </sup>viable. We demonstrate that this approach is a feasible and<sup> </sup>valuable way to assess the prevalence and diversity of viruses<sup> </sup>present in the environment, and can be a valuable complement<sup> </sup>to more difficult viral culturing in attempting to understand<sup> </sup>the ecology of influenza viruses.<sup> </sup>
 The GenBank/EMBL/DDBJ accession numbers for the sequences reported<sup> </sup>in this paper are EU086918–EU087180.<sup> </sup>
 A supplementary figure showing sampling locations for this study<sup> </sup>and supplementary tables identifying viruses included in the<sup> </sup>H3 and H11 phylogenetic analyses are available with the online<sup> </sup>version of this paper.

http://vir.sgmjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/89/2/509

HenryN · Jan 22, 2008

Re: Bengal Bird Flu Spread to Humans?

Re: Bengal Bird Flu Spread to Humans?

Human samples test negative for bird flu</ARTTITLE>
23 Jan 2008, 0009 hrs IST

,

Kounteya Sinha

,

TNN

SMS NEWS to 58888 for latest updates

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left>NEW DELHI: The Centre on Tuesday heaved a sigh of relief after blood samples and throat swabs taken from five residents of Murshidabad, suspected with symptoms of bird flu, tested negative.

Dr Shiv Lal, director of the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (Delhi), one of the three labs which tested the five samples, told TOI: "We received five samples from National Institute of Cholera and Enetric Diseases (NICED), Kolkata, all of which have tested negative. Even tests carried out at NICED met the same results. National Institute of Virology in Pune is yet to complete the tests as the samples reached them only on Monday night."

He added: "Earlier on Sunday, three other human samples sent to NICD from Sou-th Dinajpur tested negative."

This is India's fourth outbreak of avian influenza in birds. Not a single human case of avian influenza has been reported so far.

The Union health ministry has meanwhile asked the state to carry out random sampling of humans for the H5N1 virus. The ministry also dispatched fresh stocks of one lakh capsules of Tamiflu to Bengal on Monday along with 2,500 masks and protective gear. Fifty additional bottles of Tamiflu syrup were also sent on Tuesday morning.

Meanwhile, culling has been intensified in Bengal. The 258 rapid response teams culled a 2.42 lakh poultry, destroyed 88,252 eggs and about 3,000 kg of feed material. Over 80,000 poultry was culled in South Dinajpur in just three days.

Mopping operations have also been completed while disinfection will be resumed on Wednesday. Till Tuesday, Rs 18 lakh compensation had already been disbursed.

Expert teams plan to cull an additional 20 lakh chickens in the next week. The virus has killed over 1.13 lakh poultry birds in West Bengal till now. The Centre is sending in teams from eight other states, including Haryana, Assam, Maharashtra, Orissa and Jharkhand, to try and contain its spread.

An official said: "Veterinary workers from other states are being roped in and the target for culling has been upped to 21 lakh birds in the next seven days." HSADL, Bhopal, on Tuesday confirmed positive results for avian influenza on samples sent from Krishnanagar-I and Haringhata blocks of Nadia district, Ktugram, Jamuria and Galsi blocks of Burdwan district and Nalhati-I and Bolpur-Sriniketan blocks of Birbhum district.

On the other hand, several samples sent from Howrah, South 24 Parganas, North 24 Parganas, Hooghly, Kolkata and West Midnapur tested negative.

In Birbhum district, two trucks carrying chickens bound for Jharkhand were detained on Tuesday at Nalhati as the government has banned movement of poultry from bird flu-affected districts.

(kounteya.sinha@timesgroup.com )

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/rssarticleshow/msid-2722471,prtpage-1.cms

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HenryN · Jan 22, 2008

Re: Bengal Bird Flu Spread to Humans?

Re: Bengal Bird Flu Spread to Humans?

Humans test negative for bird flu

By OUR CORRESPONDENT
Kolkata, Jan. 22: The Centre has expressed concern over the spread of bird flu in fresh areas in West Bengal. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh called up chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee about the present bird flu situation in the state as the H5N1 virus spread to the eight district, North 24 Parganas. Unhappy with the pace of culling operations, Union animal husbandry department secretary Pradeep Kumar on Tuesday said that veterinary officials were being brought from other states to expedite the slaughter of chicken.
The chief minister himself admitted that although the situation in Burdwan and Bankura is under control, it was causing concern in Murshidabad and Birbhum. The state government has sent home secretary Prasad Ranjan Roy to Murshidabad and transport secretary Sumanta Chowdhury to Birbhum to review and combat the situation. State health minister Surya Kanta Mishra has gone to Burdwan.
After a high-level meeting with state health officials, Mr Kumar said, "One hundred and fifty additional officials from eight states are being deployed to expedite culling operations in the state. Bird flu has now spread to eight districts with confirmation of the H5N1 virus in North 24 Parganas."
Sources said that so far, only three lakh birds have been culled and 20 lakh more remain to be culled. There is a shortage of rapid response teams. Only 154 teams have been deployed while the Centre had asked for 800 teams.
Mr Roy admitted that the situation bird flu is very alarming. He said in Murshidabad, "Actually, bird flu started from January 1, but district administrations and the animal husbandry department reported it after January 11-12. We have directed the police, particularly in Murshidabad and Malda districts, to seal off borders with Bangladesh and Jharkhand."
The fear of bird flu spreading to humans in West Bengal have now been laid to rest with the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) finding three human samples negative. "It is a general thing that if anybody has any fever or anything like that, the blood will be tested and till date we have not got any confirmation for that (bird flu)," the health minister said on Tuesday.
"Till date we have not had any confirmation of that and there is no reason to be concerned of any human cases of bird flu," he said, adding, "We are all vigilant."
NICD, under the Union health ministry, responsible for carrying out the screening, said all human samples taken from state have tested negative. "Three samples which had been sent to NICD, New Delhi, had tested negative on Tuesday and NICD, Kolkata, which tested five samples, has confirmed on Monday that all of them are negative for the presence of avian influenza," he said.

http://www.asianage.com/presentatio.../india/humans-test-negative-for-bird-flu.aspx

Gert van der Hoek · Jan 22, 2008

Re: Bengal Bird Flu Spread to Humans?

Re: Bengal Bird Flu Spread to Humans?

More on the boy, 8 yo, suspected bird flu death

Bird flu infecting new areas

The marauding advance of the deadly bird flu in West Bengal is suspected to have taken the first human toll with unconfirmed report of the death of an 8-year-old boy from Kaliganj in Nadia district surfacing late on Monday.

Health officials struggled to contain the spread of the disease,but failed to prevent it from infecting new areas in the six of the 19 districts, authorities said here.

Salim Malik Sheikh (8) who had been admitted to Berhampur hospital with fever, numbness and cough on Friday, did not respond to treatment and the doctors advised his immediate transfer to Infectitious Disease (ID) hospital at Beliaghata here. Salim died late on Saturday while on his way to the ID hospital, reports said.

Parents of the victim claimed that the doctors at the district hospital suspected symptoms of human flu in Salim. However, the same couldn't be confirmed.

The district health directorate ordered a random test of blood samples among the local people at Kaliganj to ascertain the cause of Salim's death and take precautionary measures immediately.

If the cause of Salim's death is blamed on the human flu, it would be the maiden human toll from the disease in India. Because, the experts and WHO have already cautioned that the present attack is the worst in India and the virus might mutate into a form that could get transmitted easily from one person to another, leading to a pandemic in the affected districts if proper measures are not taken.

- snip -

http://www.deccanherald.com/Content/Jan222008/national2008012147892.

credits Treyfish

Gert van der Hoek · Jan 22, 2008

Re: Bengal Bird Flu Spread to Humans?

Re: Bengal Bird Flu Spread to Humans?

Just a snip:

Health officials in New Delhi said they were currently analysing blood samples from close to 150 people who have complained of fever.

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,23093066-38197,00.html

Gert van der Hoek · Jan 22, 2008

Re: Bengal Bird Flu Spread to Humans?

Re: Bengal Bird Flu Spread to Humans?

Boy death leads to panic in Nadia

By SUBHASISH CHAUDHURI

Krishnanagar, Jan. 22: The death of Salim Sheikh (8) triggered panic among the residents of Palashi-Kadamtala area of Kaliganj police station in Nadia.

The death of Salim, who had eaten chicken, also sparked a controversy. The local residents suspect that he died of bird flu while the administration ruled out the possibility.

People alleged that no blood samples of either the deceased boy or his parents were tested.

Nadia administration, however, claimed that blood samples were collected by Berhampore hospital where the boy was initially admitted for the treatment and the report was found to be negative.

In Kolkata, state health minister Suryakanta Mishra also maintained that no bird flu virus was found in the blood samples of Salim.

- snip -

http://www.asianage.com/presentatio.../india/boy-death-leads-to-panic-in-nadia.aspx

credits Shanon

Gert van der Hoek · Jan 23, 2008

Re: Bengal Bird Flu Spread to Humans?

Re: Bengal Bird Flu Spread to Humans?

Government of India

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

Status Report on Avian Influenza in West Bengal
(As on 22.1.2008)

Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries, Govt. of India has notified Avian Influenza in poultry in 13 blocks and one Municipal area in 6 districts, namely Birbhum, Dakshin Dinajpur, Murshidabad, Nadia, Bankura and Burdwan.

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has taken following actions.

· Six central rapid response teams of this Ministry are assisting the State health authorities in containment operations in the affected areas.

· Birbhum:

Ø The surveillance teams are conducting active surveillance in 0-3 Km area and in 3-10 Km Zone.
Ø The Surveillance teams are covering a population of 24,438 on daily basis in 0-3 Km area.
Ø In 3-10 Km area is covered in phases. On 21.1.2008 they have covered a population of 7,992.
Ø During the survey the teams have found 613 persons having Fever/URI
Ø No suspected human cases of Avian Influenza has been detected

On 21.1.2008 a total of 443 animal health workers [veterinary surgeon, poultry workers, cullers, spraying workers etc.] 190 Health personnel [medical officers, health supervisors and health workers] and 5 hospital staff have been medically examined. The personnel involved in the containment operations are under the cover of Tamiflu and are under medical supervision.

· In South Dinajpur District:

Ø Culling operations are underway in the affected areas.
Ø In 0-3 Km area population of 44,668 have been surveyed on 21.1.2008.
Ø During the survey the teams have found 43 persons having Fever/URI
Ø A total of 277 animal health workers [veterinary surgeon, poultry workers, cullers, spraying workers etc.] and 187 Health personnel [medical officers, health supervisors and health workers] and 92 hospital staff have been medically examined. The personnel involved in the containment operations are under the cover of Tamiflu and are under medical supervision.
Ø No suspected human cases of Avian Influenza have been detected.
Ø 5 outreach treatment centres in Balurghat block have started from 20.1.2008
Ø A six bed isolation ward and a special OPD has been started at Balurghat District Hospital.

· Murshidabad District:

Ø Culling operations are underway.
Ø A population of 17360 in 0-3 Km area has been surveyed on 21.1.2008. is 19652 and between 3-10 Km area the population of 605 have been covered.
Ø During the survey the teams have found 131 persons having Fever/URI
Ø A total of 130 animal health workers [veterinary surgeon, poultry workers, cullers, spraying workers etc.] and 55 Health personnel [medical officers, health supervisors and health workers] and 16 hospital staff have been medically examined. The personnel involved in the containment operations are under the cover of Tamiflu and are under medical supervision.

· Nadia District:

Ø Culling operations have started.
Ø In 0-3 km area, out of a total population of 19,700 the teams have covered 2,648 on 21.1.2008.
Ø In 3-10 Km area, out of total population of 70,000 the teams have covered 3,665 on 21.1.2008.
Ø During the survey the teams have found 100 persons having Fever/URI
Ø A total of 170 animal health workers [veterinary surgeon, poultry workers, cullers, spraying workers etc.] and 90 Health personnel [medical officers, health supervisors and health workers] and 18 hospital staff have been medically examined. The personnel involved in the containment operations are under the cover of Tamiflu and are under medical supervision.

· Burdwan District

Ø Culling operations are going on
Ø In 0-3 km area, out of a total population of 44,742 the teams have covered 33,049 on 21.1.2008.
Ø In 3-10 Km area, out of total population of 887233 the teams have covered 3476 on 21.1.2008.
Ø During the survey the teams have found 58 persons having Fever/URI
Ø A total of 288 animal health workers [veterinary surgeon, poultry workers, cullers, spraying workers etc.] and 43 Health personnel [medical officers, health supervisors and health workers]. The personnel involved in the containment operations are under the cover of Tamiflu and are under medical supervision.

· The 5 clinical samples received from South Dinajpur have been tested negative for Influenza virus.

· MOHFW has supplied 1,20,000 capsules of Tamiflu, 5000 personal protective equipments, 5000 N-95 masks and 5 ventilators. This is in addition to 10 ventilators and 10 semi automatic analysers supplied earlier.

The situation is being monitored on a daily basis.

http://mohfw.nic.in/Status Report on Avian Influenza in West Bengal-22.1.2008.doc

Gert van der Hoek · Jan 23, 2008

Re: Bengal Bird Flu Spread to Humans?

Re: Bengal Bird Flu Spread to Humans?

India admits falling behind in bird flu battle

By Sailendra Sil AFP -

MARGRAM, India (AFP) - India's West Bengal admitted on Wednesday it was falling behind in its battle against bird flu as the virus spread to more than half the densely populated state.

Despite reinforcements from neighbouring states, at least 1,000 more vets and doctors were needed to help fight the poultry virus outbreak that began over a week ago, state animal resources minister Anisur Rahaman said.

"We don't have the infrastructure to battle this epidemic. Bird flu is spreading to new areas. Thousands of chickens are dropping dead every day," he told AFP.

Hundreds more culling teams had been sent to 10 districts where bird flu had been confirmed, but not all of them were accompanied by doctors, he said. West Bengal has 19 districts.

"We've asked neighbouring states to send at least 1,000 veterinary and human doctors," said Rahaman. "We've urged the federal government to send expert teams and doctors to assess the situation and help the culling teams."

The previous target of culling two million birds had been raised to 2.2 million "in the next seven days as the disease has spread to two more districts," he said. Nearly 400,000 birds have already been killed.

The new outbreak -- the third and worst to hit India -- began in Margram village, 240 kilometres (150 miles) from the state capital Kolkata.

India has so far not had any human cases of bird flu but Rahaman said he feared the disease would spread to humans with hundreds of people reporting flu symptoms in the state of 80 million.

"Naked children are playing with chickens in courtyards in affected villages. Chickens are roaming in the kitchen while women are cooking. It's a very worrisome situation," he said.

"Reports keep pouring in that many people in flu-affected districts are suffering fever, cold and cough," state health minister Surya Kanta Mishra added. Humans with bird flu exhibit similar symptoms.

- snip -

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/afp/20080123/thl-health-flu-india-4aa7bf8.html

HenryN · Jan 24, 2008

Re: Bengal Bird Flu Spread to Humans?

Re: Bengal Bird Flu Spread to Humans?

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="85%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR bgColor=#eff0ef><TD vAlign=top align=right colSpan=2>AVIAN INFLUENZA – NO HUMANS AFFECTED – SITUATIONAL REPORT AS ON 23-1-2008 <HR></TD></TR><TR bgColor=#eff0ef><TD style="TEXT-ALIGN: left" vAlign=top width=103 height=30></TD><TD style="TEXT-ALIGN: right" vAlign=top width=347 height=30>[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]11:42 IST [/FONT]</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE width="90%" align=center><TBODY><TR><TD class=rel style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify">Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries, Govt. of India has notified Avian Influenza in poultry in a number of blocks spread over nine districts, namely Birbhum, Dakshin Dinajpur, Murshidabad, Nadia, Bankura, Malda, Cooch behar, Burdwan and Hoogly.

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW) initiated a series of actions to assist the state in the containment operations and restrict further spread of the disease. Senior Officials from this Ministry were deputed to review the situation with State Health Authorities. The contingency plan of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has been implemented in affected districts. Seven Central Rapid Response Teams are assisting the State in containment operations. In all the affected areas, active human surveillance is being undertaken in the 0-3 Km zone and being further stepped up in 3-10 Km area. Persons having Upper Respiratory Infection [URI]/ Fever are being monitored. Health care facilities have been identified with isolation ward and critical care facilities for management of human cases of Avian Influenza. The animal health staff involved in the culling and sanitization operations and those involved in human health surveillance are being provided chemoprophylaxis and their health status is being monitored. No suspected human cases of Avian Influenza have been detected. Five samples tested so far have been reported negative.

MOHFW has supplied 1,20,000 capsules of Oseltamivir, 5000 personal protective equipments, 5000 N-95 masks and 5 ventilators. This is in addition to 10 ventilators and 10 semi automatic analyzers supplied earlier. An additional supply of 1,00,000 capsules of Oseltamivir, 100 bottles of Oseltsamivir syrup and 5 ventilators have been sent on 23.01.2008. There is adequate stock of Oseltamivir and Personal Protection Equipments to meet further requirements.

States of Jharkhand, Bihar and Assam that share a common border with West Bengal have been instructed to ban and prevent any entry of poultry or poultry related products from West Bengal into these States. Other States have also been put on alert. MOHFW has deputed Central teams to the states of Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa and other North Eastern States to review the level of preparedness and fill critical gaps. The preparedness of the districts bordering West Bengal is also being reviewed through videoconference with state/ district authorities.

MOHFW has initiated IEC campaign to sensitize the community through the visual and print media. This includes broadcast of spots on private and Government owned FM channels in West Bengal. The spots are also scheduled to be broadcast 5-6 times before and between popular programmes and the National News broadcast during morning and late evening hours in the States of Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Chhatisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Uttaranchal, Rajasthan, Orissa, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Manipur, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura, Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh. Telecast of campaign on Avian Influenza through Doordarshan Kendras of Patna, Ranchi, Kolkatta and Guwahati has been initiated.

A control room is functioning from the Emergency Medical Relief division of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in New Delhi from 8.00 AM to 8.00 PM. The control room number is 23061469. Daily status reports are being web hoisted and could be accessed at www.mohfw.nic.in.

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=34847

Gert van der Hoek · Jan 24, 2008

Re: Bengal Bird Flu Spread to Humans?

Re: Bengal Bird Flu Spread to Humans?

Government of India

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

Status Report on Avian Influenza in West Bengal
(As on 23.1.2008)

As per available information, fresh outbreaks have been reported in the districts of Coochbehar and Hooghly [approximately 80 Kms from Kolkatta].

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has taken following actions.

? Seven central rapid response teams of this Ministry are assisting the State health authorities in containment operations in the affected areas.

? Birbhum District:

? The surveillance teams are conducting active surveillance in 0-3 Km area and in 3-10 Km Zone in the blocks of Nalhati II; Nalhati-I, Rampurhut I and II, Myureshwar-I.
? Out of a population of 1,98,085 in 0-3 Kms of the epicenters in these blocks, 1,51,926 have been covered.
? Out of a population of 2,96,895 in 3-10 Kms of the epicenters, 83,964 have been covered.
? A total of 758 persons [516 in 0-3 Km area and 242 in 3-10 km area] with fever/URI have been detected in during surveillance. In the identified hospital 257 cases of fever/URI have reported.
? No suspected human cases of Avian Influenza has been detected.
? A total of 1142 animal health workers [veterinary surgeon, poultry workers, cullers, spraying workers etc.] have been medically examined/ followed up and 7 have been found unfit. All are under chemoprophylaxis.
? 524 Health personnel [medical officers, health supervisors and health workers] are involved in surveillance activities and they are also under cover of Tamiflu.

? South Dinajpur District:

? In 0-3 Km area, a population of 40,292 have been surveyed on 22.1.2008.
? In 3-10 Km area, survey is conducted in phases. They have covered a population of 6,794 on 22.1.2008.
? Culling operations have been completed. A total of 256 animal health workers [veterinary surgeon, poultry workers, cullers, spraying workers etc.] and 187 Health personnel [medical officers, health supervisors and health workers] and 46 hospital staff have been medically examined. The personnel involved in the containment operations and surveillance activities are under the cover of Tamiflu and are under medical supervision.
? No suspected human cases of Avian Influenza have been detected.

? Murshidabad District:

? Culling operations are underway.
? Out of a population of 31,225 in 0-3 Km area a population of 22,373 has been surveyed on 22.1.2008 and between 3-10 Km area out of a population of 76,522, a population of 1028 have been covered.
? A total of 481 animal health workers [veterinary surgeon, poultry workers, cullers, spraying workers etc.] and 210 Health personnel [medical officers, health supervisors and health workers] and 136 hospital staff have been medically examined. The personnel involved in the containment operations are under the cover of Tamiflu and are under medical supervision.

? Nadia District:

? Culling operations have started.
? In 0-3 km area, out of a total population of 19,700 the teams have covered 3,006 persons.
? In 3-10 Km area, out of a population of 70,000 the teams have covered 7,221.
? A total of 312 animal health workers [veterinary surgeon, poultry workers, cullers, spraying workers etc.] and they are under chemoprophylaxis. 113 Health personnel [medical officers, health supervisors and health workers] and 18 hospital staff have also been medically examined. ?
Burdwan District

? Culling operations are going on
? In 0-3 km area, out of a total population of 44,742 the teams have covered 33,807 persons.
? In 3-10 Km area, out of total population of 8,87,233 the teams have covered a population of 24,978.
? A total of 405 animal health workers [veterinary surgeon, poultry workers, cullers, spraying workers etc.] and they are under chemoprophylaxis. 190 Health personnel [medical officers, health supervisors and health workers] have also been medically examined.

? States of Jharkhand, Bihar and Assam that share a common border with West Bengal have been instructed to ban and prevent any entry of poultry or poultry related products from West Bengal into these States. Other States have also been put on alert.

? Special Secretary (Health) along with Addl.DG & Director, NICD and Joint Secretary held a video conference with the State health authorities of Jharkhand as also DM, CMO and Animal Health officers of all ten districts including those sharing border with West Bengal. The situation was reviewed and they had been requested to step up the vigil, check movement of poultry and poultry products and initiate preparedness measures.

? MOHFW has supplied 1,20,000 capsules of Tamiflu, 5000 personal protective equipments, 5000 N-95 masks and 5 ventilators. This is in addition to 10 ventilators and 10 semi automatic analysers supplied earlier. An additional supply of 1,00,000 capsules of Tamiflu, 100 bottles of Tamiflu syrup and 5 ventilators are being airlifted.

? MOHFW has initiated IEC campaign to sensitize the community in the visual and print media. The following activities have been undertaken:

? Pvt. FM Channels- Radio Mirchi, Red FM have been directed for broadcast of spot duration 40 seconds in West Bengal in the slot hired by M/o Health and Family Welfare for broadcast of NRHM. The spots are being broadcast from 16th January, 08
? The spots are also scheduled before and between the National News at 8.00 A.M. and before and between the National News at 8.45 P.M upto 31st January, 2008.
? CSU, AIR, Mumbai being coordinated for broadcast of same spots 5 to 6 times daily in the popular programmes ?Film Music, Rural Programmes, Women?s programmes? in the States of Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Chhatisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Uttaranchal, Rajasthan, Orissa, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Manipur, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh upto 31st January, 2008.
? The spot will be also scheduled from 24th to 31st January, 2008 on FM channels of All India Radio, Delhi (Rainbow and Gold).

? MOHFW has also initiated telecast of campaign of Avian Influenza through Doordarshan Kendras of Patna, Ranchi, Kolkatta and Guwahati.

? The situation is being monitored on a daily basis.

http://mohfw.nic.in/Status Report on Avian Influenza in West Bengal-23.1.2008.doc

Gert van der Hoek · Jan 24, 2008

Re: Bengal Bird Flu Spread to Humans?

Re: Bengal Bird Flu Spread to Humans?

1,000 more vets, docs needed to fight bird flu

24 Jan 2008,

NEW DELHI/KOLKATA: Commenting on the outbreak of the deadly H5N1 avian influenza virus, a Union health ministry official said on Wednesday, ''The virus has spread all over the state and it is just a matter of time before samples from Kolkata test positive for H5N1.''

West Bengal animal resource minister, Anisur Rehman, who's helping coordinate culling operations, however, put up a brave front.

''The situation is under control,'' he said in Kolkata on Wednesday. But on the ground, that was far from the truth. The reinforced Rapid Action Teams were behind on culling target of 20 lakh.

Only 7 lakh chickens had been killed so far, an official involved in the process said, but sources in Delhi said less than 5 lakh birds were reported to have been culled. Backyard chicken farms were still reporting flu deaths. So far, about 1.6 lakh chicken have died of flu.

Incessant rain in Malda, South Dinajpur, and North Dinajpur districts had impeded culling operations. The danger of health staff contracting the disease loomed again as Sunil Choudhury, a member of a culling team in South Dinajpur, was admitted to hospital with respiratory problems, one of the symptoms of bird flu in humans.

The entire culling team had to be quarantined, adding to the staff shortage that's preventing the state from accelerating culling operations. In Delhi, an animal husbandry official said, ''The High Security Animal Disease Laboratory in Bhopal has confirmed a positive result for avian influenza (H5) in samples from Dinhata-I block of Coochbehar district, Balagarh block of Hooghly district and Raniganj block of Burdwan district.''

The other districts already infected with H5N1 include Birbhum, South Dinajpur, Bankura, Murshidabad, Malda and Nadia.

India's animal husbandry commissioner, Dr S K Bandhopadhyaya, told TOI, ''It's possible that a simultaneous exposure occurred. But no trend has emerged in the detection of the virus. So we can't be certain that the virus has spread all over the state. We can still contain the virus with effective culling operations.''

But other experts said the virus may be waiting to be discovered inside the City of Joy.

''The samples from Hooghly that tested positive were picked up a few days back. This means, by now, the virus should already have reached Kolkata, through infected birds smuggled into Kolkata's poultry markets or wild birds dropping infected faeces or feathers,'' an expert said.

Adding to woes, is an acute shortage of veterinary doctors. According to Bandhopadhyaya, seven states have already sent in doctors to support culling and containment operations. Despite these reinforcements, at least 1,000 more vets and doctors were needed to fight the outbreak.

Facing criticism over the tardy pace of the culling operation and also inadequate compensation distributed till now, West Bengal on Wednesday started spot payments to mitigate losses of affected rural families. Till Wednesday evening, nearly Rs 8 lakh in compensation had been disbursed, both on the spot or through panchayats.

The big fear in the epidemic that was confirmed on January 15 is human infection. ''What is worrying about the outbreak in West Bengal is that the virus has mostly affected backyard poultry where birds move freely among humans.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...ded_to_fight_epidemic/articleshow/2726294.cms

Gert van der Hoek · Jan 25, 2008

Re: Bengal Bird Flu Spread to Humans?

Re: Bengal Bird Flu Spread to Humans?

Government of India

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

Status Report on Avian Influenza in West Bengal

(As on 24.1.2008)

The total number of districts affected remains the same in West Bengal . Ministry
of Health and Family Welfare has taken following actions.

? Seven central rapid response teams of this Ministry are assisting the State health
authorities in containment operations in the affected areas.
? Additional teams are being sent to reinforce the existing central RRTs.

? Birbhum District:

.. The surveillance teams are conducting active surveillance in 0-3 Km area
and in 3-10 Km Zone in the blocks of Nalhati II; Nalhati-I, Rampurhut I
and II, Myureshwar-I.
.. Out of a population of 3,40,021 in 0-3 Kms of the epicenters [covering
127 villages] in these blocks, 2,27,910 have been covered.
.. Out of a population of 5,04,125 in 3-10 Kms of the epicenters, [covering
172 villages] 1,12,377 have been covered.
.. A total of 1400 persons [763 in 0-3 Km area and 637 in 3-10 km area]
with fever/URI have been detected during surveillance. In the identified
hospital 214 cases of fever/URI have reported.
.. No suspected human cases of Avian Influenza has been detected.
.. A total of 1633 animal health workers [veterinary surgeon, poultry
workers, cullers, spraying workers etc.] have been medically examined/
followed up and 5 have been found unfit. All are under
chemoprophylaxis.
.. 530 Health personnel [medical officers, health supervisors and health
workers] are involved in surveillance activities and they are also under
cover of Tamiflu.
.. No suspected human cases of Avian Influenza have been detected

? South Dinajpur District:

.. In 0-3 Km area, out of a total population of 1,79,657 the teams have
covered a population of 39,365.
.. In 3-10 Km area, survey is conducted in phases. They have covered a
population of 9,003.
.. One person with URI/fever who handled sick bird is under observation.

.. Culling operations have been completed. A total of 290 animal health
workers [veterinary surgeon, poultry workers, cullers, spraying workers
etc.] and 187 Health personnel [medical officers, health supervisors and
health workers] and 77 hospital staff have been medically examined.

One
animal health worker is also under observation.

The personnel involved in
the containment operations and surveillance activities are under the cover
of Tamiflu and are under medical supervision.
.. No suspected human cases of Avian Influenza have been detected.

? Murshidabad District:

.. Culling operations are underway.
.. The total population in 0-10 Km is 4,05,057. Out of this, 41,038 in 0-3 Km
area and 8,296 between 3-10 Km area have been covered.
.. 131 persons with Fever/URI have been found during the survey. 21 persons
with fever/URI with exposure history are also being followed up. They have
no signs of lower respiratory tract infection.
.. 63 persons with fever/URI have reported in the hospital. But none of them
have contact history with infected poultry.
.. A total of 562 animal health workers [veterinary surgeon, poultry workers,
cullers, spraying workers etc.] and 249 Health personnel [medical officers,
health supervisors and health workers] and 147 hospital staff have been
medically examined. The personnel involved in the containment operations
are under the cover of Tamiflu and are under medical supervision.
.. No suspected human cases of Avian Influenza have been detected

? Nadia District:

.. Culling operations are underway.
.. In 0-3 km area, out of a total population of 19,700 the teams have covered
11,964 persons.
.. In 3-10 Km area, out of a population of 70,000 the teams have covered
13,791.
.. A total of 166 persons [92 in 0-3 Km area and 74 in 3-10 km area] with
fever/URI have been detected during surveillance. There is no exposure
history.
.. In the hospital 72 persons with fever/URI have reported.
.. A total of 804 animal health workers [veterinary surgeon, poultry workers,
cullers, spraying workers etc.] and they are under chemoprophylaxis. 154
Health personnel [medical officers, health supervisors and health workers] and
23 hospital staff have also been medically examined.

? Burdwan District

.. Culling operations are going on
.. In 0-3 km area, out of a total population of 1,49,359 the teams have covered
1,01,003 persons.
.. In 3-10 Km area, out of total population of 9,92,292 the teams have covered a
population of 16,859.
.. There had been 40 persons having URI/ Fever with no exposure history

.. 172 URI/fever cases have reported to hospital with no exposure history
.. A total of 550 animal health workers [veterinary surgeon, poultry workers,
cullers, spraying workers etc.] and they are under chemoprophylaxis. 190
Health personnel [medical officers, health supervisors and health workers]
have also been medically examined.

? 10 clinical samples tested at NICD [8 from Birbhum and 2 from Murshidabad]
have been tested negative. Five samples tested by National Institute of Virology,
Pune from the affected area have also been found negative.

? States of Jharkhand, Bihar and Assam that share a common border with West
Bengal have been instructed to ban and prevent any entry of poultry or poultry
related products from West Bengal into these States. Other States have also been
put on alert.

? Special Secretary (Health) along with Addl.DG & Director, NICD and Joint
Secretary held a video conference with the State health authorities of Assam as
also DM, CMO and Animal Health officers of all five districts namely Dubri,
Kokrajhar, Karimganj, Hailakandi and Kachar. The situation was reviewed and
they had been requested to step up the vigil, check movement of poultry and
poultry products and initiate preparedness measures.

? MOHFW has supplied 2,20,000 capsules of Tamiflu, 5000 personal protective
equipments, 5000 N-95 masks and 20 ventilators and 150 bottles of Tamiflu
syrup.

? A stock of 10,000 Tamiflu and 500 PPE is being sent to the States of Assam,
Bihar and Jharkhand.

? MOHFW has initiated IEC campaign to sensitize the community through the
visual and print media. This includes broadcast of spots on private and
Government owned FM channels in West Bengal. The spots are also scheduled to
be broadcast 5-6 times before and between popular programmes and the National
News broadcast during morning and late evening hours in the States of Bihar,
Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Chhatisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Uttaranchal, Rajasthan,
Orissa, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Manipur, Nagaland,
Sikkim, Tripura, Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh. Telecast of campaign
of Avian Influenza through Doordarshan Kendras of Patna, Ranchi, Kolkatta and
Guwahati has been initiated.

? The situation is being monitored on a daily basis.

http://mohfw.nic.in/Status Report of Avian influenza in West Bengal-24.1.2008.pdf

Gert van der Hoek · Jan 25, 2008

Re: Bengal Bird Flu Spread to Humans?

Re: Bengal Bird Flu Spread to Humans?

Man under observation

Pranesh Sarkar
KOLKATA, Jan. 25: Amid the bird flu scare in West Bengal, the state health department has kept a youth under observation in Balurghat, South Dinajpur, who has developed symptoms of avian flu after handling sick birds recently.

The youth’s clinical samples have been sent to the National Institute of Communicable Disease, New Delhi and National Institute of Virology, Pune for confirmation tests.

This is significant because South Dinajpur is one of the two districts where bird flu cases were confirmed in the state, with Birbhum on 15 January.

This is the first case in the state when the health authorities sent a clinical sample of a human, suspecting he could have fallen victim to the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain of virus. So far, no human case of avian flu has been reported in India.

Health officials said the 30-year-old youth was admitted to Balurghat Hospital with high fever and respiratory distress. As the youth hails from the area where the presence of H5N1 virus was confirmed, health officials put him under observation.

Chief Medical Officer (Health), South Dinajpur, Dr Bibhuti Bhusan Mahapatra, said: “Though the patient has a history of asthma, we did not take any chances and sent his clinical samples for a confirmation test.”

But a Union health ministry official said they took up the case because the youth had handled sick birds. The youth fell sick soon after and is recovering today.

Health authorities at Swasthya Bhavan were astonished when they came to know of a two-month-old from Hili in South Dinajpur was admitted to Balurghat Hospital last evening with high fever and respiratory distress.

But the baby’s clinical sample was not sent for H5N1 confirmation test as it was not thought to be necessary.

- snip -

http://www.thestatesman.net/page.news.php?clid=1&theme=&usrsess=1&id=187466

Shannon Bennett · Jan 25, 2008

Re: Bengal Bird Flu Spread to Humans?

Re: Bengal Bird Flu Spread to Humans?

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/rssarticleshow/msid-2733048,prtpage-1.cms

<TABLE class=maintable1 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="90%" align=center border=0 valign="top"><TBODY><TR><TD style="PADDING-LEFT: 2px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 10px" width="100%" colSpan=3><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="PADDING-LEFT: 10px; FONT-SIZE: 12px; COLOR: #000000; PADDING-TOP: 5px; FONT-FAMILY: arial" vAlign=top width=200>Printed from

</TD><TD style="PADDING-LEFT: 5px; FONT-SIZE: 12px; COLOR: #666666; FONT-FAMILY: arial" vAlign=bottom align=left colSpan=4>The Times of India -Breaking news, views. reviews, cricket from across India</TD></TR><TR><TD class=contentboxhead4 style="PADDING-LEFT: 15px" colSpan=2></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=column2 vAlign=top><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 13px"></TD></TR><TR><TD height=8></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width="100%">[FONT=Arial, Helvetica,sans-serif]<ARTTITLE>Supply more Tamiflu, govt tells pharma companies</ARTTITLE>[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica,sans-serif]26 Jan 2008, 0242 hrs IST

,

Kounteya Sinha

,

TNN[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica,sans-serif]SMS NEWS to 58888 for latest updates

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left>NEW DELHI: In order to replenish its fast depleting reserve of oseltamavir — the most effective drug to treat H5N1 bird flu virus infection in humans, the Union health ministry has now written to pharmaceutical companies to supply fresh stocks of the drug as fast as possible.

Under India's bird flu preparedness plan, the Union health ministry had decided to stockpile 10 lakh capsules of oseltamivir (best known as Tamiflu) at any given point of time. But at present, the health ministry is left with 7.5 lakh doses of the drug with a shelf life of five years.

Speaking to TOI, Union health secretary Naresh Dayal said, "Before the outbreak in West Bengal, we had 9.7 lakh capsules of Tamiflu stockpiled. The ministry has already sent over two lakh capsules of Tamiflu to West Bengal over the past week."

Saying that the ministry is yet to finalize which company will ultimately supply the drug, Dayal added, "Since we had decided that 10 lakh capsules of bird flu drug for humans had to be in our stockpile at any given time, we have written to Indian generic drug companies and swiss pharma major Roche to get back to us with rate quotations and the time they would take to supply us fresh stocks. Most companies have told us they have bulk amounts of the drug available. Packing and dispatching it would take a week."

According to Dayal, the Indian generic drug companies approached include Hetero drugs, Cipla and Ranbaxy. Speaking to TOI, Cipla joint managing director A Lulla said, "We can immediately supply the ministry 100,000 doses of oseltamavir. The prices too are highly competitive. We have been supplying to several other South East Asian countries."

The WHO meanwhile has also stockpiled Tamiflu and has three million courses. These will be used specifically for rapid containment at the beginning of a pandemic. WHO India representative Salim J Hebayeb had earlier said, "We have already stockpiled three million doses of Tamiflu."

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>[/FONT]
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Gert van der Hoek · Jan 27, 2008

Re: Bengal Bird Flu Spread to Humans?

Re: Bengal Bird Flu Spread to Humans?

Snip from the Times of India:

The state had sent 17 human samples for tests which turned out negative, to everyone's relief. "These samples were collected from South Dinajpur, Burdwan and Murshidabad. There are no reports of any human being affected by the virus," said R S Shukla, state Aids project director.

But health minister Surjya Kanta Mishra said the government was still worried about possible human infection.

"We are taking every precaution. If the virus strain mutates to affect humans, the pandemic will have a greater impact than any of the three pandemics of the 20th century," Mishra said.

South 24-Parganas chief medical officer, health, Sachchidanand Sarkar said they were keeping a close watch on the health of the locals.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Bird_flu_spreads_to_more_districts_in_WB/articleshow/2735921.cms

Gert van der Hoek · Jan 28, 2008

Re: Bengal Bird Flu Spread to Humans?

Re: Bengal Bird Flu Spread to Humans?

From South Dinajpur District:

Two persons with fever/URI are under observation in the hospital.

Both are afebrile and responding to conservative treatment. One among them is a Animal Health worker.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Government of India

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

Status Report on Avian Influenza in West Bengal

(27.1.2008)

Number of districts affected by Avian Influenza in poultry remains the same. In the affected 11 districts, 38 blocks covering 2147 villages and four municipalities are involved. Out of these, 818 villages are in 0-3 Km area where a population of 6,79,472 are under daily surveillance.

1263 cases fever/URI have been reported, 11 of which had contact history with poultry.

There are 1329 villages in the surveillance zone of 3-10 kms where a population of 5,26,431 have been surveyed. There had been 944 fever/URI cases of which had exposure history.

The district-wise details on surveillance and health related activities in 0-3 Km area and 3-10 Km area around the epicenters are as under:

· Birbhum District

Ø The surveillance teams are conducting active surveillance in 0-3 Km area and in 3-10 Km Zone in the affected blocks
Ø Out of a population of 3,40,021 in 0-3 Kms of the epicenters in these blocks 3,13,024 have been covered on daily basis.
Ø Out of a population of 5,04,125 in 3-10 Kms of the epicenters 1,19,891 have been covered[Doing in rounds: cumulative total 5,05,915]
Ø A total of 1511 persons [1000 in 0-3 Km area and 511 in 3-10 km area] with fever/URI have been detected during surveillance. In the identified hospital 162 cases of fever/URI have reported.
Ø A total of 1663 animal health workers [veterinary surgeon, poultry workers, cullers, spraying workers etc.] have been medically examined/ followed up and 5 have been found unfit. All are under chemoprophylaxis.
Ø 785 Health personnel [medical officers, health supervisors and health workers] are involved in surveillance activities and they are also under cover of Tamiflu.
Ø No suspected human cases of Avian Influenza have been detected

· South Dinajpur District:

Ø In 0-3 Km area, out of a total population of 1,79,657 the teams have covered a population of 50,228.
Ø In 3-10 Km area, survey is conducted in phases. They have covered a population of 25,030.
Ø There have been 40 fever/URI cases in 0-3 Km and 58 such cases detected in 3-10 Km area. None of them had exposure history.
Ø Two persons with fever/URI are under observation in the hospital. Both are afebrile and responding to conservative treatment. One among them is a Animal Health worker.
Ø Surveillance on Animal health workers who were involved in containment operations have been released. 187 Health personnel [medical officers, health supervisors and health workers] have been medically examined.
Ø No suspected human cases of Avian Influenza have been detected.

· Murshidabad District:

Ø A population of 70,528 in 0-3 Km area is under daily surveillance. In 3-10 Km area a population of 45,671 have been covered.
Ø There had been 68 persons with Fever/URI but only two had exposure history. They are being followed up. They have no signs of lower respiratory tract infection.
Ø 41 persons with fever/URI have reported in the hospital. But none of them have contact history with infected poultry.
Ø A total of 2,366 animal health workers [veterinary surgeon, poultry workers, cullers, spraying workers etc.] and 279 Health personnel [medical officers, health supervisors and health workers] and 176 hospital staff have been medically examined. The personnel involved in the containment operations are under the cover of Tamiflu and are under medical supervision.
Ø No suspected human cases of Avian Influenza have been detected

· Nadia District:

Ø In 0-3 km area the teams have covered a population of 195,531
Ø In 3-10 Km area the teams have covered a population of 1,91,851
Ø A total of 734 persons [452 in 0-3 Km area and 282 in 3-10 km area] with fever/URI have been detected during surveillance. There is no exposure history.
Ø In the hospital 71 persons with fever/URI have reported of which eight are under inpatient observation.
Ø A total of 1359 animal health workers [veterinary surgeon, poultry workers, cullers, spraying workers etc.] examined and they are under chemoprophylaxis. 497 Health personnel [medical officers, health supervisors and health workers] and 40 hospital staff have also been medically examined.
Ø No suspected human cases of Avian Influenza have been detected

· Burdwan District

Ø In 0-3 km area, out of a total population of 1,64,585 the teams have covered 1,42,314 persons.
Ø In 3-10 Km area, out of total population of 10,28,338 the teams have covered a population of 1,10,022.
Ø There had been 359 persons having URI/ Fever with no exposure history
Ø A total of 340 animal health workers [veterinary surgeon, poultry workers, cullers, spraying workers etc.] are examined and they are under chemoprophylaxis. 672 Health personnel [medical officers, health supervisors and health workers] have also been medically examined.
Ø No suspected human cases of Avian Influenza have been detected

· Bankura District

Ø Surveillance activity has started in 0-3 Km and 3-10 Km area.
Ø In 0-3 Km area a population of 9200 has been covered
Ø In 3-10 km area a population of 10,905 have been covered
Ø A total of 37 persons have been detected [ 20 in 0-3 km area and 17 in 3-10 km area] with fever/URI with no exposure history.
Ø A total of 140 animal health workers [veterinary surgeon, poultry workers, cullers, spraying workers etc.] and they are under chemoprophylaxis. 18 Health personnel [medical officers, health supervisors and health workers] and 15 hospital staff have also been medically examined.
Ø In the area under surveillance no suspected human cases of Avian Influenza have been detected

· Bankura District

Ø Surveillance activity has started in 0-3 Km and 3-10 Km area.
Ø In 0-3 Km area a population of 9200 has been covered
Ø In 3-10 km area a population of 10,905 have been covered
Ø A total of 37 persons have been detected [ 20 in 0-3 km area and 17 in 3-10 km area] with fever/URI with no exposure history.
Ø A total of 140 animal health workers [veterinary surgeon, poultry workers, cullers, spraying workers etc.] and they are under chemoprophylaxis. 18 Health personnel [medical officers, health supervisors and health workers] and 15 hospital staff have also been medically examined.
Ø In the area under surveillance no suspected human cases of Avian Influenza have been detected

· Hooghly District

Ø Surveillance activity has started in 0-3 Km area.
Ø In 0-3 Km area out of a population of 58,118 the teams have covered 4100
Ø A total of 403 animal health workers [veterinary surgeon, poultry workers, cullers, spraying workers etc.] and they are under chemoprophylaxis. 25 Health personnel [medical officers, health supervisors and health workers] and 5 hospital staff have also been medically examined. ·

Howrah District

Ø Surveillance activity has started in 0-3 Km and 3-10 Km area.
Ø In 0-3 Km area a population of 14,300 and 3-10 Km the teams have covered 45,000
Ø A total of 92 animal health workers [veterinary surgeon, poultry workers, cullers, spraying workers etc.] and 84 volunteers are under chemoprophylaxis. ·

States of Jharkhand, Bihar and Assam that share a common border with West Bengal have been instructed to ban and prevent any entry of poultry or poultry related products from West Bengal into these States. Other States have also been put on alert.

· MOHFW has supplied 3,20,000 capsules of Tamiflu, 5000 personal protective equipments, 5000 N-95 masks and 20 ventilators and 150 bottles of Tamiflu syrup. An additional 1,00,000 capsules of Tamiflu is being mobilized today.

· A stock of 10,000 Tamiflu and 500 PPE have been sent to the States of Assam, Bihar and Jharkhand.

· The IEC campaign in initiated by MOHFW as stated in the earlier reports is continuing.

· Central RRTs have been deployed to all the eleven districts. Trained Rapid Response teams from Maharashtra, Gujarat and Goa have also been alerted to move to West Bengal at short notice.

· The manpower under Pulse-Polio programme supported by WHO has been requested to conduct surveillance for reporting influenza like illness in the districts adjoining affected areas of West Bengal. This includes the bordering districts of Assam, Jharkhand, Bihar and Orissa.

· The situation is being monitored on a daily basis.

http://mohfw.nic.in/Status Report on Avian Influenza in West Bengal-27.1.2008.doc

tropical · Jan 28, 2008

Re: Bengal Bird Flu Spread to Humans?

Re: Bengal Bird Flu Spread to Humans?

What a failure that in the majority of the involved Districts the ones who must be put under the blanket are the ones who must know better the risk coming from manipulate the ill poultry:

"Ø ... animal health workers [veterinary surgeon, poultry workers, cullers, spraying workers etc.] and ... Health personnel [medical officers, health supervisors and health workers] and ... hospital staff have been medically examined.
The personnel involved in the containment operations are under the cover of Tamiflu and are under medical supervision."
___
"India has so far not had any human cases of bird flu but Rahaman said he feared the disease would spread to humans with hundreds of people reporting flu symptoms in the state of 80 million.
...
· A stock of 10,000 Tamiflu and 500 PPE have been sent to the States of Assam, Bihar and Jharkhand."

What a "whelty" stock of Tamiflu and PPE gived to 3 Indian States.

I understand now the OIE "very stable" statement to the masses - if OIE are wrong, with those potential numbers of people mixing the virus with seasonal flu, if p. starts, we will be history ...

vinny · Jan 28, 2008

Re: Bengal Bird Flu Spread to Humans?

Re: Bengal Bird Flu Spread to Humans?

hope this is allowed,if it is true about hundreds reporting flu symptoms,and such a low amount of tamiflu and ppe being given out,i just hope the SHTF doesnt happen anytime soon,as i for one am not ready and still need the time to do more prepping,i just hope that i have that time.

HenryN · Jan 29, 2008

Re: Bengal Bird Flu Spread to Humans?

Re: Bengal Bird Flu Spread to Humans?

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=4 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=articleheader>602 people under flu watch in Malda
</TD></TR><TR><TD class=articleauthor>OUR CORRESPONDENT</TD></TR><TR><TD class=story align=left>

Malda, Jan. 29: A door-to-door survey by district health workers in bird flu-hit areas of Malda has found 602 people with symptoms like fever, running nose and cough.
?We have detected 109 such people within a 3km radius of the affected areas in Chanchol and Harishchandrapur and 493 people within a radius of 3-10km. All of them complained of fever, running nose and cough,? said Radharaman Banik, the chief medical officer of health (CMOH) of Malda.
Outbreak of avian flu among poultry birds has so far been confirmed in Chanchol I and Harishchandrapur I blocks. Now, similar outbreaks are also suspected in Kaliachak I and Kaliachak III.
It is not yet known if H5N1 or the bird flu virus has infected some of these 602 people, but Banik said all of them were being kept under observation.
?We are opening a special ward in the Chanchol subdivisional hospital in case we need to admit any of them and we will also send their blood samples to the Bhopal laboratory,? said the CMOH.
A mystery fever is also stalking Malda town. D. Sarkar, the superintendent of the railway hospital here, said: ?We have been getting patients with high fever and chest pains and we are not being able to detect the source of infection. We have sent quite a few patients to B.R. Singh Hospital in Sealdah.?
However, no one has been confirmed with pneumonia, the known symptom of bird flu.
A team from the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) in Delhi and experts from the All-India Institute of Hygiene and Public Health, Calcutta, arrived here today to study the situation.
The team includes NICD joint-director Shah Hossain and G. Sengupta, a microbiologist from the institute in Calcutta. The experts met senior district officials and, according to sources, gave a clean chit to the administration for the manner in which the situation is being handled.
The animal resources development (ARD) department, on the other hand, is getting ready to send culling teams to Kaliachak I and Kaliachak III blocks after birds started dying there in large numbers.
?The central team from the NICD has visited the areas and from the manner in which poultry birds are dying there, the experts are certain that it is a bird flu outbreak,? said Arunima Dey, subdivisional officer, headquarters.
All the nine block development officers in the Malda Sadar subdivision, including those of Kaliachak I and III, have been told to hold meeting with the panchayat pradhans and create awareness among villagers.
?We are also sending blood samples to Bhopal,? Dey said.
The subdivisional officer added that the Kaliachak blocks were adjacent to Bangladesh and the virus could have spread from the other side of the border.

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http://www.telegraphindia.com/1080130/jsp/siliguri/story_8839936.jsp

India/Bengal/Tripura Bird Flu Spread to Humans?

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