Government launches surveillance to check bird flu in Munger

PATNA: The state health department with the support of Munger administration has initiated steps to check the spread of H5N1 virus in neighbouring areas of Gorho village in Amaiya panchayat under Asarganj block in Munger district after lab tests confirmed avian influenza (bird flu) in the village on December 19.

The state health department on Sunday launched a surveillance programme in the 10km radius of the Munger village in the wake of bird flu. The department on Friday had issued an advisory to all the 38 district magistrates to report any unusual deaths of avian population in any part of the state. The DMs have been asked to initiate preventive measures against the spread of virus in human population in the adjacent areas of the infected zone.

The state animal husbandry department has culled the affected avian population in six villages of Asarganj block as per the Union ministry of health and family welfare protocol to prevent its transmission in human population.

Six samples sent to National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD) in Bhopal confirmed the presence of H5N1 virus in dead birds at Gorho.

Munger DM Anand Sharma said, “There is no report of human infection at present. But we have started surveillance in the 10km radius of the village for ten days. The health department officials with the support of district administration will conduct doorstep survey to notify the transmission of virus to people living in adjacent areas.”

Sharma said the people in adjacent areas of Asarganj block have been asked to remain careful while eating chicken. “The H5N1 virus cannot survive above 70 degree Celsius. Gorho shares its borders with Bhagalpur and Banka districts. So it is necessary to prevent the spread of the virus,” he said.

Munger civil surgeon Dr Yogendra Prasad Bhagat said, “We have established a temporary health check-up camp at Baijalpur near Gorho. Our team will conduct blood tests of suspected people. We will also distribute Tamiflu drug among them. Chemical sprinkling is also underway to sanitize the area.”

District animal husbandry officer Dr Vijay Kumar said 588 poultry chicken, ducks and pigeons had been culled within one kilometre of Gorho village during the drive conducted on Friday and Saturday. “Our team is still camping in the area to take measures if any unusual death of avian species from neighbouring areas is reported,” he said.

He added: “The areas falling within 1km radius of the place of occurrence is called infected zone.”

State epidemiologist Dr Ragini Mishra said, “H5N1 comes under category ‘A’ of avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu. It is a highly pathogenic disease which can be transmitted to humans as well. The virus may harm immune system and lead to respiratory failure in the affected people. Currently, no vaccines are available to prevent the transmission of the disease.”