DIMAPUR, NOV 28 (MExN): In response to recent reports of suspected cases of Avian flu in Nagaland, the Ministry of Health and Family welfare, Government of India, sent a team of experts who toured Kohima, Mokokchung and Longleng districts from 22nd Nov. to 26th Nov’05. Informing of this, Dr R Rose Chakhesang, State Programme Officer for national vector borne diseases control programme said in a release that the experts did not find any reason to associate Avian flu with the deaths due to fever in Mokokchung.
The team comprised of experts in the field of general medicine, a child specialist, a microbiologist, a virologist, an entomologist and an epidemiologist from the National Institute of communicable diseases New Delhi, clinicians from the Ram Mohan Lohia Hospital New Delhi and research scholars from the Indian Council of Medical Research centre, Dibrugarh. A team of local doctors from the Vector Borne Diseases Control Programme, epidemiologists, general doctors and entomologists accompanied the visiting team of experts to the different towns and villages from where the suspected cases were reported.
The team conducted detailed investigations and undertook surveys in the same areas where fever and deaths attributed to fever of unknown origin were reported. They also interviewed Veterinary doctors and enquired as to whether suspicious deaths of birds or wild animals had been recorded in the recent times and learnt that no such incidents had happened.
The team of experts also made thorough examinations of the treatment sheets of those who died due to fever in Mokokchung Civil Hospital and Longleng CHC but could not find any reason to associate the deaths with Avian flu. However, for investigative purposes, samples of blood serum, nasal swabs and peripheral blood smears were collected from fever patients, the results of which will be made known to the State Health Authorities as and when ready.
The team further called on the State Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Dr. T. M. Lotha and apprised him of their findings and at the same time assured him of all help in the case of an outbreak of any disease.
They handed a few equipments like personal protective gear, masks, heavy duty apron, shoe and head covers, surgical masks, gloves and goggles, sample collection kits etc.
Meanwhile they have assured that there is no reason to panic over the unfounded reports and rumours of bird flu in the State.
