Shiloh
Editor, Senior Moderator
Source: http://www.hindu.com/2008/12/23/stories/2008122356031100.htm
Ready infrastructure to tackle avian flu: Anbumani asks States
Aarti Dhar
Minister holds review meeting with officials
West Bengal asked to do regular drill
NEW DELHI: Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss will write to all Chief Ministers and Health Ministers of States urging them upgrade their preparedness to tackle avian influenza.
On Monday, he reviewed the situation in the wake of the recent outbreak of bird flu in some eastern States and took stock of the preparedness of various agencies in case of an outbreak.
The Minister assured the States of full support from the Centre and asked them to utilise this situation to create a standing infrastructure to deal with the disease in the future also.
Expressing concern over the recurrence of avian influenza in West Bengal, Dr. Ramadoss advised the State to carry out a regular drill, irrespective of outbreak conditions. The meeting was informed that there was no report of fresh outbreak after December 16. Senior officials from the Union Ministries of Health and Family Welfare, Animal Husbandry, Forests and Environment, Home, and Information and Broadcasting; and the Assam, West Bengal, Meghalaya, Bihar, and Jharkhand governments attended.
5 million birds culled
Meanwhile, the Lok Sabha was informed that over five million birds had been culled in five States over the last one year to contain the spread of bird flu.
The number of birds culled since December 18, 2007 touched 5.14 million, while compensation provided to the bird owners stood at Rs. 14.85 crore, Minister of State for Agriculture Taslimuddin said in a written reply.
West Bengal accounted for the maximum number of birds culled (4.27 million) followed by Assam (0.46 million), Bihar (0.21 million), Tripura (0.19 million) and Jharkhand (0.01 million).
The highest compensation at Rs. 12.32 crore was provided to bird owners in West Bengal, Those in Assam received a package of Rs. 1.39 crore, Tripura Rs. 0.71 crore and Jharkhand Rs. 56,00
Ready infrastructure to tackle avian flu: Anbumani asks States
Aarti Dhar
Minister holds review meeting with officials
West Bengal asked to do regular drill
NEW DELHI: Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss will write to all Chief Ministers and Health Ministers of States urging them upgrade their preparedness to tackle avian influenza.
On Monday, he reviewed the situation in the wake of the recent outbreak of bird flu in some eastern States and took stock of the preparedness of various agencies in case of an outbreak.
The Minister assured the States of full support from the Centre and asked them to utilise this situation to create a standing infrastructure to deal with the disease in the future also.
Expressing concern over the recurrence of avian influenza in West Bengal, Dr. Ramadoss advised the State to carry out a regular drill, irrespective of outbreak conditions. The meeting was informed that there was no report of fresh outbreak after December 16. Senior officials from the Union Ministries of Health and Family Welfare, Animal Husbandry, Forests and Environment, Home, and Information and Broadcasting; and the Assam, West Bengal, Meghalaya, Bihar, and Jharkhand governments attended.
5 million birds culled
Meanwhile, the Lok Sabha was informed that over five million birds had been culled in five States over the last one year to contain the spread of bird flu.
The number of birds culled since December 18, 2007 touched 5.14 million, while compensation provided to the bird owners stood at Rs. 14.85 crore, Minister of State for Agriculture Taslimuddin said in a written reply.
West Bengal accounted for the maximum number of birds culled (4.27 million) followed by Assam (0.46 million), Bihar (0.21 million), Tripura (0.19 million) and Jharkhand (0.01 million).
The highest compensation at Rs. 12.32 crore was provided to bird owners in West Bengal, Those in Assam received a package of Rs. 1.39 crore, Tripura Rs. 0.71 crore and Jharkhand Rs. 56,00