Bird flu across Karnataka
An alert has been sounded across Karnataka, after the outbreak of bird flu in a privately-owned poultry farm in Bidar district of Karnataka.
- Poultry farm owners have been instructed to take precautionary measures to prevent infection of chicken with H5N1 virus.
- In the case of viral infection, scientists have advised farm owners not to sell or move any of the birds/eggs and material out of farm. They have been instructed to adopt adequate bio-security measures.
- Karnataka has around 7,000 poultry farms, which are both layers and broilers varieties. The farms have stock of more than five crore birds. The state’s daily egg production is about 1.2 crore.
About Bird flu:
Avian influenza (AI), commonly called bird flu, is an infectious viral disease of birds often causing no apparent signs of illness.
Spread: AI viruses can sometimes spread to domestic poultry and cause large-scale outbreaks of serious disease. Some of these AI viruses have also been reported to cross the species barrier and cause disease or subclinical infections in humans and other mammals.
Effects on Humans:
- Most avian influenza viruses do not infect humans; however some, such as A(H5N1) and A(H7N9), have caused serious infections in people.
- The majority of human cases of A(H5N1) and A(H7N9) infection have been associated with direct or indirect contact with infected live or dead poultry. There is no evidence that the disease can be spread to people through properly cooked food.
- Initial symptoms include high fever, usually with a temperature higher than 38°C, and other influenza-like symptoms (cough or sore throat). Diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, chest pain, and bleeding from the nose and gums have also been reported as early symptoms in some patients.
Controlling the disease in animals is the first step in decreasing risks to humans.
Treatment:
- Evidence suggests that some antiviral drugs, notably oseltamivir, can reduce the duration of viral replication and improve prospects of survival.
- In cases of severe infection with the A(H5N1) or A(H7N9) virus, clinicians may consider increasing the recommended daily dose or/and the duration of treatment.
Immediate measures taken by the Government to reduce the outbreak:
- The entire infected poultry population and its eggs, feed, litter and other infected material will be stamped out within a radius of one km.
- Restrictions on the movement of poultry will be imposed and the affected area will be cleaned up and disinfected.
- Regular surveillance will be maintained, especially in vulnerable areas bordering infected countries and in areas visited by migratory birds.
