Consultant picture. File |Picture Credit score: HS Manjunath
The Directorate Basic of Public Well being and Preventive Medication has issued an advisory to the general public after the H5N1 avian influenza (avian influenza) virus was detected in samples taken from a carcass of a crow in Chennai. “Chicken influenza hardly ever spreads to people,” mentioned A. Somasundaram, director of public well being.
The advisory reiterates that avian influenza is a viral illness that spreads from contaminated birds to different birds, and transmission to people is uncommon. Nonetheless, it states that individuals who deal with birds, particularly sick or lifeless birds, and those that work in slaughterhouses ought to use warning. Individuals with flu-like signs similar to cough, chilly, fever, and problem respiratory ought to search medical help on the nearest authorities well being facility.
Residents are requested to report any uncommon fowl deaths of their space to the Division of Livestock, preserve private hygiene measures similar to hand washing, and make sure that their surrounding surroundings is clear.
On the subject of meals, eggs and meat that aren’t totally cooked or improperly cooked must be prevented. Residents also needs to keep away from touring to areas the place outbreaks of avian influenza have been reported.
The advisory additionally warns residents to not imagine rumors. Members of the general public also can name 104 for extra data.
Chennai Company requires elevated monitoring
Additional, a communication from the Animal Husbandry Division mentioned Chennai Company and native authorities have been requested to strengthen biosecurity and perform thorough disinfection in areas the place crow deaths have been reported. As well as, native governments are being requested to eliminate fowl carcasses by burying them deep.
Authorities have been additionally instructed to not carry out autopsies on the scene to forestall the unfold of an infection. In the meantime, the Forest Division has been requested to step up surveillance in surrounding areas.
In early January, residents of areas similar to Adyar, Velacheri and Neelankarai reported sightings of lifeless and dying crows of their localities.
The Union authorities’s Ministry of Animal Husbandry and Dairying later confirmed that the H5N1 pressure was present in crow samples taken from Adyar. The samples have been submitted by the Assistant Director, Animal Illness Data Unit, Kancheepuram.
The Union authorities’s communication mentioned native governments ought to strengthen biosecurity and perform thorough disinfection in areas the place fowl deaths have been reported.
