Status Report on Avian Influenza in Assam and West Bengal

This is a report by the Government of india PIB as of 25th Dec, 2008

West Bengal      

Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, GOI has notified Avian Influenza Outbreak in Englishbazar block, Malda District of West Bengal on 15.12.2008.  Containment measures are continuing. In total 32495 birds have been culled.  214 animal health workers are under chemoprophylaxis. The active surveillance in 0-3 Km is continuing. Surveillance in 3-10 Km has also started in phases.  328 health workers have been deployed for active surveillance.

The State Govt has adequate  stock of ventilators, PPE and Oseltamivir

Assam

The first notification of Avian Influenza in Assam was in Hajo block of Kamrup district on 27.11.2008. Since then 12 other epicenters have been notified. Five more epicenters have been notified on 24.12.2008 [one each in Nagaon, Baska and Bongaigaon districts and two in Kamrup district]. Containment operations are being instituted in the new epicenters. The central RRT of MOHFW stationed at Barpeta will cover Baksa district. New team is being sent to Nagaon district. Teams already in Kamrup and Bongaigaon Districts will cover the newly notified epicenters in these districts.

Brief of containment operations

·         Culling activities has been completed in all earlier notified blocks. Mopping up and sanitization are underway. So far a total of cumulative 4,08,379 birds have been culled.

·         A total of 300 Animal Health workers, who were deployed for the culling activity are on Chemoprophylaxis.

Surveillance

·         Central government has deployed RRTs to cover all epicenters. They are working with the  state RRT teams.

·         Active house to house surveillance is being followed in 0-3 km zone in all epicenters except in Rajabazar of Hazo Block and ward No. 6 of Barbaruah block. In 3-10 km area surveillance is conducted in phases. As per available information a  population of 1,23,640 was covered in 0-3 Km area and 1,01, 421 in 3-10 km area.

·         50 cases of Upper Respiratory Infection [URI] with fever were detected [34 in 0-3 Km and 14 in 3-10 Km]. None of them had  history of handling dead or sick birds. 

·         30 cases of URI with fever in the outpatient department were detected in the identified health facilities.

·         1057 health workers were deployed for surveillance.

Logistics

30,000 capsules of Tamiflu, 9,000 surgical masks, 900 personal protective equipments, 300 N-95 masks and 8 ventilators have been supplied by MoHFW. Sufficient anti-viral drugs and PPE are in stock with the State Government. Additional logistics of 10000 capsules of Oseltamivir, 300 Personal Protective Equipments, 100 N-95 Masks, 3000 Surgical masks [three layered] have been sent.  

Communication

·         Messages to create public awareness are being telecast/ broadcast in local channels and AIR.

·         Local campaign such as miking and interpersonal communication is followed in all epicenters.

Monitoring

·         The situation is being monitored on a daily basis.