India - Human Respiratory Track Infections

[Commonground]

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

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

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

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

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

 

[hawkeye]

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

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

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

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

hope that helps.

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



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

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

 

[Treyfish]

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

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

Thanks, Hawkeye! Still trying!

 

[hawkeye]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

[Giuseppe]

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

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

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

Government of India - Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

Status Report on Avian Influenza in Assam (11.12.08)

[Original text at LINK]

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

A status update is as under:

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

I. Kamrup district:

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

- Rampur Blocks of Kamrup District.

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

- Azara/Rani Block of Kamrup District

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

II. Barpeta district

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

III. Nalbari district

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

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

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

 

[HenryN]

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

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

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

 

[HenryN]

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

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

No report of bird flu in humans yet
</B>[SIZE=-1]Staff reporter
GUWAHATI, Dec 13 ? The bird flu-related situation in the State is under control. But the State Government has been requested by the Central team of experts to expedite the process of poultry culling in the affected areas and to conduct such operations comprehensively. The State Government has also been requested to cordon off the affected areas. The Meghalaya Government has also been requested by the Central team of veterinary experts to undertake culling of poultry in its territory adjacent to Khanapara area of the city.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Minister also apprised the newspersons that till yesterday 3,17, 673 birds were culled, 1,60,995 eggs and 11,000 kgs of poultry feed were destroyed. It is estimated that during the culling operations 5,36,000 birds will be killed, the Minister said.
[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/details.asp?id=dec1408/at06
[/SIZE]

 

[Treyfish]

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

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

Berdfloo out of the situation in Assam

Dec 13, 03:15 pm​

Guwahati
Berdfloo in the state of Assam is out. Given its magnitude, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi of the late Friday meeting with dignitaries and help from the central government Guahar did. His view of the order on Saturday Berdfloo State Haialrt has been declared. Two of the state and North Lakhimpur district of Sivasagar and also in the grip of Berdfloo has come. Meanwhile, drugs with the central team has reached here.
Here, the border districts of North Bengal in the wake of Berdfloo Brti vigilance is going. The Chief Minister of Health officials in the affected areas of special awareness campaign and has directed. Sivasagar and North Lakhimpur districts in Berdfloo outbreak after the number of affected districts has risen eleven.
Union Animal Husbandry Secretary Ann. Ram said gokul those two districts to examine the blood samples have been sent to Pune and Bhopal. Assam officials yesterday he considered the future strategy. Given the gravity of the situation reached the central area of the visiting team is different.
Medical experts with the center for investigation also has sent special equipment and medicines. The Center still ten thousand Tamiefloo capsule, six thousand two surgical masks and have sent ventilator. Experts think that migrants in Assam birds with the disease came because of the virus's spread. Assam in the cold as soon as millions of migratory birds come from Siberia. Assam's health minister, Dr. Sharma said that Himant world sick people in the affected areas to other people apart from keeping the treatment is being made. This case came to light here is that government compensation rate of rural low due to hide the chickens do. So in the affected areas to kill is incomplete. Despite the decline in Kamrup district on charges of selling chicken Wyhaprion six have been arrested. :tiphat:http://74.125.93.104/translate_c?hl=en&langpair=hi%7Cen&u=http://in.jagran.yahoo.com/news/national/general/5_1_5068303.html&prev=/translate_s%3Fhl%3Den%26q%3DKANPUR%252B%2BFEVER%252B%2BAUGUST%2B%2B2008%26sl%3Den%26tl%3Dhi&usg=ALkJrhiDJMXRvnmJ33kFyUdMGwPnwcSIkw

 

[HenryN]

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

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

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

 

[Sally Furniss]

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

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

Translation from Arabic

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

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

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

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

......

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

 

[Treyfish]

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

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

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Package for affected poultry farmers



By our Staff Reporter
GUWAHATI, Dec 13: With H5N1 virus spreading fast to fresh areas in Asom, including Guwahati, the State Government has come with a slew of sops in the form of enhanced compensation, bank loan interest subsidy and bird fodder for the affected poultry farmers and commoners who do not rear chickens and ducks for large-scale commercial purpose. The government has set the target of culling 5.31 lakh poultry birds in the phase 1 up to December 16. Till now, 3.18 lakh birds have already been culled and 1.6 lakh eggs destroyed in the State.
Talking to newsmen here today, Asom Health and Family Welfare Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said: ?In Guwahati, occurrence of H5N1 virus has been detected at Kharguli, besides Khanapara. This apart, test reports of Sivasagar, Lakhimpur and Baksa districts are awaited. Preventive measures have been taken there.?
So far there is risk of H5N1 virus spreading from birds to humans, but if the spread of the virus is not checked now, the day is not far when the virus will spread from man to man, Sarma said quoting experts. ?Culling soon after detection of H5N1 virus is the only way left for us in the present situation in the State,? he said.
To make the poultry farmers and commoners rearing poultry birds cooperate with the Veterinary department in the ongoing culling operation, Sarma said: ?Besides the Central Government?s compensation at the rate of Rs 50 (Rs 40 for broiler) and Rs 75 respectively for each chicken and duck culled, the State Government will provide Rs 40 for each chicken and Rs 50 for each duck culled with retrospective effect i.e from November 29 when the first culling operation began in the State. In the areas under surveillance ? ranging from three to ten km adjacent to the exact places of occurrence of H5N1 where sale and movement of poultry birds have been prohibited ? the State Government will provide Rs 10 against each chicken or duck as cost of fodder.?
Poultry farmers who had taken bank loans but incurred huge loss due to the culling operation, Sarma said, will be given subsidy on their loan interest by the State Government. He said poultry farmers will also be given financial assistance so that they can shift to other vocations.
To allay the fear of occurrence of H5N1 in the bird sanctuaries of the State, Sarma, quoting Forest Department sources, said: ?As many as 37 samples of birds from the sanctuaries of the State were sent to Bhopal and Pune for laboratory tests, but the reports came out negative for avian influenza.?
On the over 100 Upper Respiratory Track Infection (URI)-affected people in the State, Sarma said: ?They are under constant observation of the Health Department in their respective houses.? To minimize the time for getting the test report, he said, the State Government is contemplating on setting up of a laboratory in Guwahati to test occurrence of bird flu.

 

[HenryN]

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

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

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

Updated map

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=U...26.148042,91.462555&spn=0.58432,0.819855&z=10

 

[HenryN]

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

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

Guwahati, Dec 14 (ANI): The Indian Government has rushed several bird flu experts to Assam to step up surveillance after nearly 100 people showed signs of suffering from the virus. Health workers have yet to confirm any human cases of H5N1, but they said patients in six districts were suffering from fever and respiratory infections, which are symptoms of the virus in humans.
?From the Government of India??s side, we have provided the technical support. We have deployed our representatives in all these locations. We are providing financial support,? said N Gokulram, Secretary of the Central Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Department.
Three teams of Central medical experts, including epidemiologists and microbiologists, are keeping a close watch on humans in the affected areas of the state.
Medical teams have brought equipment as a preventive measure in case the virus spreads to humans, including 10,000 Tamiflu capsules, 6,000csurgical masks and two ventilators.
Veterinary officials have slaughtered over 300,000 chickens and ducks since late November, after the virus was detected in poultry last month in a village close to Guwahati.
Over 400 Rapid Response Teams have been formed for the culling operations in areas affected by the disease.
With the disease spreading to fresh areas in upper and lower Assam, the State Government has announced a new scheme to be introduced on December 21 with the aim of rehabilitating poultry farmers who have suffered huge losses due to the outbreak of the disease.
?We have initiated a new scheme providing 30 million rupees. All these beneficiaries will be provided goatry as well as piggery units. The scheme will start from 21st of this month,? said S Mewra, Commissioner of Assam??s veterinary department.
Meanwhile, Police have arrested six people in Guwahati on charges of smuggling over 500 chickens out of the city, and therefore, violating a ban on the sale and transportation of poultry products in the state.
Samples of the dead chickens have been sent for testing from two more districts of Assam.
The WHO has described the outbreak of bird flu in West Bengal last January, when more than four million birds were culled, as the worst ever in India. (ANI)

http://www.newspostonline.com/healt...s-humans-show-signs-of-bird-flu-2008121419332

 

[HenryN]

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

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

Religious beliefs hampering culling in Assam
December 14th, 2008 - 7:49 pm ICT by IANS -
Guwahati, Dec 14 (IANS) Religious and superstitious beliefs are coming in the way of culling of poultry in Assam where bird flu has spread to new areas posing serious health risks to humans, officials Sunday said. ?We are in a very delicate sort of a situation, although there are no reports of humans contracting bird flu so far,? V.P Rana, a central health ministry official, told IANS.
Four people, including two veterinary officials involved in the culling operations, were put under surveillance and blood samples collected after they complained of fever and cold in western Chirang district of Assam.
?We have sent blood samples of four people to a laboratory in New Delhi to ascertain if they had contracted the bird flu virus. There were some 150 more people who had earlier complained of fever and cold, although we had ruled outthe virus infecting these people,? Parthajyoti Gogoi, another central health ministry official, said.
Meanwhile, authorities were continuing slaughtering poultry in eight Assam districts with an estimated 350,000 birds culled so far.
?About 150,000 more birds are being culled and we hope to complete the culling drive by Tuesday,? Assam veterinary director A. Kataki said. An Assam government spokesman said there were reports of bird flu spreading to new villages in eastern and western Assam.
?We are being able to gradually control bird flu from spreading further although the danger is far from over,? Kataki said.
Tribal villagers in western Chirang district resisted authorities culling poultry and instead carried our chicken sacrifices as part of a local religious festival.
?We did not allow the authorities to cull our chickens as we need them for sacrificing as part of the festival. God is there to help us and nobody in our village would fall sick,? Monolal Basumatary, a community elder, said justifying their refusal to cooperate with the culling process.
Local authorities were in a fix.
?We cannot use force to kill the birds as that might hurt religious sentiments. We have been trying our best to convince the populace that culling is the only way to prevent bird flu from spreading further and also the risk of humans contracting the virus,? P.P. Baruah, Chirang district magistrate, said.
A 15-member team of central health ministry experts is carrying out door-to-door health check ups, while a central animal husbandry team too is supervising the culling operations which have also begun in adjoining Meghalaya state with an estimated 3,000 birds slaughtered.
?We have begun culling as a precautionary measure as some of the villages in our state adjoin Assam where bird flu has struck. We have sent samples for laboratory tests and are awaiting the results,? Meghalaya veterinary director D. Khonglah said.

http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal...efs-hampering-culling-in-assam_100130916.html

 

[HenryN]

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

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

Bird flu: Culling on in Assam

Guwahati (PTI): Culling operations were on in birdflu-hit Assam even as the administration launched a massive campaign to make people aware about the disease.
"Culling operations are on at large scale in all the six affected districts even as a massive publicity campaign including announcement by loudspeakers have been launched to make people aware of the do's and dont's of the disease," Shyam Mewara, Commissioner Veterinary and Animal Husbandry, told PTI here on Sunday.
He said compensation has been paid to the affected poultry breeders and so far Rs 97 lakh has been given by the state government.
Confirming there was no report of birdflu among humans, the commissioner said precautionary measures were on and care was being taken to prevent the spread of the disease to new areas.
The government ban on sale and movement of poultry products was on.
Official sources said that nearly 100 persons from Hajo, Rampur and Azara blocks who were suffering from upper respiratory tract infection were being kept under surveillance. Two districts of Kamrup, rural and metro, of which the capital city of Guwahati is a part, Nalbari, Barpeta, Chirang and Dibrugarh districts have been affected by the virus.

http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/002200812141831.htm

 

[HenryN]

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

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

Commentary

http://www.recombinomics.com/News/12140802/H5N1_Rampur_70.html

 

[HenryN]

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

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

Commentary

http://www.recombinomics.com/News/12140803/H5N1_Chirang_Cullers.html

 

[Giuseppe]

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

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

Adding further concern to the statement by Assam authorities about ''no human bird flu cases yet'' one may read also this:

"Little study is done regarding bird flu in Assam. So it's natural that doctors and medical students know little about bird flu, even in textbooks there's nothing," said K K Deka, Principal, Guwahati Medical College Hospital.

(From http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080076390&ch=12/14/2008 9:33:00 AM)

 

[HenryN]

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

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

Adding further concern to the statement by Assam authorities about ''no human bird flu cases yet'' one may read also this:



(From http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080076390&ch=12/14/2008 9:33:00 AM)

Assam ill-equipped to check bird flu?
Kishalay Bhattacharjee
Sunday, December 14, 2008, (Guwahati)
Nearly three lakh chicken have already been culled, and more than 3.5 lakh people are under surveillance, for any signs of bird flu in Assam.
Culling of poultry is underway in Guwahati's veterinary farm which is one of the designated areas for disposal of culled birds in the city.
The state administration hoping to complete the process in the next three days.
In two weeks the bird flu virus has travelled to at least six districts across Assam and now the administration is getting worried.
"If there's an epidemic affecting human beings it's really difficult. A highly infectious disease, carries high mortality and we are not in a position to handle such an epidemic," said Dr A K Adhikari, professor of medicine, Guwahati Medical College.
Though India has not had any reported any cases of Avian influenza, at least fifteen other countries have, and according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), figures of the 389 cases reported worldwide, 246 have died which is a mortality rate of over 60 per cent.
Avian influenza is extremely infectious and requires isolated treatment in intensive care units. This hospital in Guwahati has been designated for bird flu cases but it has provision for only six patients and doctors admit that tthey themselves are not fully aware of the dangers and the treatment.
"Little study is done regarding bird flu in Assam. So it's natural that doctors and medical students know little about bird flu, even in textbooks there's nothing," said K K Deka, Principal, Guwahati Medical College Hospital.
The government is hoping that they will contain the spread of the virus but the recurrence of bird flu in the region is something that needs much greater attention.

 

[Gert van der Hoek]

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

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

Experts sent to Assam as humans show signs of bird flu

Guwahati, Dec 14 : The Indian Government has rushed several bird flu experts to Assam to step up surveillance after nearly 100 people showed signs of suffering from the virus.

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

'From the Government of India's side, we have provided the technical support. We have deployed our representatives in all these locations. We are providing financial support,' said N Gokulram, Secretary of the Central Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Department.

Three teams of Central medical experts, including epidemiologists and microbiologists, are keeping a close watch on humans in the affected areas of the state.

Medical teams have brought equipment as a preventive measure in case the virus spreads to humans, including 10,000 Tamiflu capsules, 6,000csurgical masks and two ventilators.

Veterinary officials have slaughtered over 300,000 chickens and ducks since late November, after the virus was detected in poultry last month in a village close to Guwahati.

Over 400 Rapid Response Teams have been formed for the culling operations in areas affected by the disease.

With the disease spreading to fresh areas in upper and lower Assam, the State Government has announced a new scheme to be introduced on December 21 with the aim of rehabilitating poultry farmers who have suffered huge losses due to the outbreak of the disease.

'We have initiated a new scheme providing 30 million rupees. All these beneficiaries will be provided goatry as well as piggery units. The scheme will start from 21st of this month,' said S Mewra, Commissioner of Assam's veterinary department.

Meanwhile, Police have arrested six people in Guwahati on charges of smuggling over 500 chickens out of the city, and therefore, violating a ban on the sale and transportation of poultry products in the state.

Samples of the dead chickens have been sent for testing from two more districts of Assam.

The WHO has described the outbreak of bird flu in West Bengal last January, when more than four million birds were culled, as the worst ever in India.

http://www.newkerala.com/topstory-fullnews-60285.html