Bird flu or Avian flu, also avian influenza, bird influenza, means flu from viruses adapted to birds, but is sometimes mistakenly used to refer to both other flu subsets such as H5N1 flu or the viruses that cause them such as H5N1.

Bird flu outbreak notified in Imphal, eastern India

Bird Flu :: Bird flu outbreak notified in Imphal, eastern India

Indian Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries notified today an outbreak of Avian Influenza in Chingmeirong Village in East Imphal District of Manipur.

The Central Rapid response Team of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has been deputed to review and firm up preparedness measures.

The 21 family members in a cluster of three houses and 9 veterinary staff who got exposed to the infected birds have been put under Oseltamivir chemoprophylaxis. Their health status is being monitored and all are healthy. No residents in neighbourhood are suffering from influenza like illness.

The Central Rapid Response Team of this Ministry held discussions with State health and animal husbandry authorities, assessed the situation and a micro action plan was drawn up. For the active human surveillance 20 medical teams have been constituted, each team having one medical officer, 3 supervisory staff, 30 health workers. One health worker would cover 100 households doing house to house search for influenza like illness. Daily reports would be generated.

A team of 20 doctors would monitor the health status of cullers who would be on oseltamivir chemoprophylaxis.

Orientation training has been imparted to state medical Rapid Response Teams, hospital staff and field staff.

An isolation ward has been set up in the Jawaharlal Nehru Hospital, Imphal to manage suspected human cases of Avian Influenza. Dedicated doctors, staff and ambulance have been identified.

5000 capsules of Oseltamivir, 2000 sets of personal protective equipments, 1000 sets of N-95 masks and 2 ventilators have been airlifted to Imphal. Adequate stocks of these items are available with Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.

The situation is being closely monitored. As of now, there is no suspected human cases of Avian Influenza.

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