# 1481
Well, actually . . . he said none had been reported.
A subtle difference.
Since human surveillance efforts began only a few short hours ago, and no tests could possibly have been run yet, it isn't surprising that no human infections have been reported.
Note: I have no inside information to suggest there are any human cases in West Bengal. The reports of children with fever in the affected area aren't particularly alarming, given this is regular flu season. It does seem, however, a little premature to be dismissing the possibility.
What strikes me in this article, and many others from other regions, is how quick officials are to say, "Nothing to see here, move along."
Instead of using this opportunity to inform and educate the public, many officials resort to bland assurances.
According to Pawar, this is "a limited problem", they've taken "immediate action", and he is "confident the situation will be normalized".
I suppose those statements do qualify as a teachable moment, as long as the lesson is: Don't bother listening to official statements.
No human infection reported due to bird flu: Pawar
16 Jan 2008, 1743 hrs IST,
NEW DELHI/ KOLKATA: Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar on Wednesday said that there have been no reports of humans getting infected by the bird flu after its outbreak was confirmed in West Bengal.
Pawar said he was confident that the authorities would succeed in controlling the outbreak of the avian flu in West Bengal's Birbhum District and South Dinajpur District.
"There is definitely a limited problem on the Bangladesh border, but we have taken immediate action. The country has faced twice this type of problem and we never tried to hide anything," Pawar told reporters.
He further said that the government is trying to concentrate the virus in that particular area and is confident that the situation will be normalised.
When asked whether any human infection has been reported, Pawar said "No not even one."
The government confirmed on Tuesday that the latest outbreak of bird flu in West Bengal was of the virulent H5N1strain.
