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With the re-emergence of bird flu in West Bengal, the Central government of India is alerting adjacent states to be watchful for new outbreaks.
Additionally, fever cases in the area are being monitored, and two dozen cases have been admitted to the hospital. Authorities deny that these patients had contact with infected fowl, however.
This from Thaindian News via the Flutrackers news feed.
Government alerts states bordering West Bengal on bird flu
March 12th, 2008 - 5:17 pm ICT by admin
New Delhi, March 12 (IANS) The central government Wednesday alerted states neighbouring West Bengal, where a fresh outbreak of bird flu has left over 190 birds dead over the past nine days. Tests at the Bhopal’s High Security Animal Disease Laboratory (HSADL) found the presence of bird flu virus in samples from Nayamukundapur in Raghunathgunj block II and Dohapara village in Murshidabad-Jiagunj block of the Murshidabad district, following which the central government alerted adjoining states of Bihar, Orissa, Manipur and Jharkhand.
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The department has also started human surveillance, which started Tuesday, in Jiaganj as a few cases of fever have surfaced. In Raghunathganj-II human surveillance began Wednesday.
In the hospital already 24 people have been admitted, and five more cases were detected. But animal husbandry department officials said none of them have exposure history to infected poultry.
About 19 villages in a radius of 0-3 km having a population of 19,849 were being monitored, the officers said.
Around 104 animal husbandry workers are involved in culling activities and have been medically examined. They are taking chemoprophylaxis to combat the virus. Also, 623 health personnel are involved in surveillance activities.
Two central Rapid Response Teams have been deputed to the affected areas to supervise the containment operations.
This is the fifth bird flu outbreak in India since 2006.
