Imtinaro Longkumer
Kohima | August 3
The recent outbreak of the Avian Influenza commonly known as ‘bird flu’ in Manipur appears to have alerted the concerned departments of Nagaland. Though no report of the disease has been received from any part of the state, the Department of Veterinary &Animal Husbandry Nagaland along with other concerned departments has started preparing certain preventive measures to tackle its outbreak.
The state, apart from monitoring strict surveillance activities like fogging and intensive checking of vehicles coming from the infected areas, dispatching of samples for testing, and providing awareness campaign to public through various means, Dr.L.S Moses, Joint Director, Veterinary &AH said that a Rapid Response Team for culling and vaccination with 102 district wise team leaders in Nagaland has also been formed so as to tackle the situation if the virus is detected.
As per the direction of the Indian Government, they have visited all district headquarters. DCs, police personnel and other village functionaries are ready with Personnel Protective Equipments in stock.
An Action Plan on Surveillance of Avian Influenza in the state has also been drawn with an aim to detect and handle the influenza effectively in case of outbreak. Dr Y.Yisao, Director, Veterinary &AH, Kohima in a report said, “the active surveillance will help in containment of the disease at source itself i.e. at the level of animal itself thus reducing the opportunity of spread of disease and for possible human infection”, as such giving due importance to disease intelligence, active animal surveillance and strengthening the early warning system before outbreak.
Although Tamiflu, an anti-viral drug appears to be effective in treating bird flu, Dr Vesapra, Veterinary Assistant Surgeon, DDL, ELISA Laboratory Kohima said that in case of outbreak, immediate culling of the birds shall be done within a radius of 3 kms and between 3 to 10 kms from the suspected site. He further added that the central government will also depute its team for mobilizing and controlling the situation.
In view of disseminating public awareness, the Veterinary department, sponsored by the Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India, has also come forward with varied awareness programmes at different levels. The department is said to have prepared pamphlets, leaflets/posters of facts and guidelines relating to avian influenza, translated to 16 Naga dialects.
Rongsenwati, Principal Chief Conservator, Forest Department also opined that his department is “ready and prepared” in case of outbreak in the state. The department has trained range officers, field staffs and field conservators are ready in this regard, he added.
Treating with bird flu not only depends on a particular department or group alone. It is a serious concern for the entire state and nation as a whole, and as such proper coordination among the concerned departments along with poultry farmers and public is required.
With all this strict monitoring, preparations and manning of the state departments at various points, the general public has been advised not panic but to cooperate by following the guidelines issued by the department.
