India - Bird Flu in POULTRY/ANIMALS Feb 5th - 10th 2008

[Treyfish]

Re: India - Bird Flu in Poultry/Animals Feb 5th +

No way out!
Soumyadipta Banerjee
Sunday, February 17, 2008 23:59 IST

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<!-- google ad end --></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!-- image section ends -->Bipasha Basu and her family had a scare when she was shooting in Bengal. The location was in the bird flu zone, reports Soumyadipta Banerjee
Watch your step!
Bipasha was shooting in Shantinekatan in West Bengal?s Birbhum district
The location is near the epicentre of the bird flu epidemic
The state?s Agriculture ministry asked her to restrict her movement
Even Bipasha?s mother and sister were told to stay within the shoot area
She says she misses Mumbai and John Abraham if she stays out of it for more than two weeks, but this time it was a little different.
Bipasha Basu apparently didn?t want to come back to Mumbai during a shooting stint at Shantiniketan in Birbhum district of West Bengal, where Rabindranath Tagore spent most of his creative years. This was Bipasha?s maiden visit to the place.
Interestingly, the area where she is shooting is just a couple of kilometres away from the epicenter of the recent bird flu epidemic in West Bengal which prompted the Centre and even the US government to come to the West Bengal government?s rescue.
Just a month ago, the virus was first detected in the area. Though the state government has declared that the epidemic is under control but the areas where Bipasha is shooting falls within the danger zone.
According to sources in the Agriculture ministry of the West Bengal government, officials had already expressed concern for the actor?s health and the lack of safety and precautionary measures during the shooting. This might be a reason why Bipasha was refused permission to move around Birbhum district.
Bipasha and her family were apparently asked to stay put within the shooting zone. The actor apparently wanted to shop for sarees and see the scenic country locales of Birbhum. <snip>
http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1151397

[Treyfish]

Re: India - Bird Flu in Poultry/Animals Feb 5th +

Migratory birds killed by poisoning
From A Correspondent
NAZIRA,Feb 16 ? Despite protests against poaching and killing of wildlife and stress on implementation of the Wildlife Act, some unscrupulous people have been rampantly killing endangered species of birds at Dimow Pathar in Sivasagar district.

According to a member of Natures Bacon, more than 100 migratory birds like Dhritaraj and Sorali ducks were killed by poisoning by unscrupulous people at Dimow Pathar near Bogidole and Joysagar under Joysagar Police Station.

According to information received from some people of the locality, the miscreant have been killing the migratory ducks for last few days by spreading Furadon like insecticides in the paddy fields and the ducks who come in search of food after consuming it and then they are killed and are eaten by the miscreants.

It may be mentioned that in such like poisoning, it spreads out a chain system killing of various type of lives as if the being were fly away from the spot and died in other places, while than, them are eaten by another animals to cause death.

In the last week, Sorali ducks were found near the giant Mechagar tank and the conscious persons of the locality feels that many such birds might have fallen in other places. Condemning the inhuman actions of the bird killing nature lovers and conscious public have urged the authority to take stern actionand demand a probe. http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/...feb1708\State8

[Treyfish]

Re: India - Bird Flu in Poultry/Animals Feb 5th +

New Delhi
Experts suggest ways to minimise avian flu effects on humans

Bindu Shajan Perappadan Staff Reporter

One important measure is vaccination against seasonal flu
NEW DELHI: The Influenza Foundation of India (IFI), an advisory body to bring awareness on the disease as also its prevention and control, has issued several recommendations to curb the ill-effects of seasonal influenza, especially during the avian flu outbreak.
Stating that in India?s healthcare map avian influenza is currently the most disturbing disease with bird flu cases being reported from several countries in the world, chairman of IFI A. K. Prasad said earlier this week that `?vaccination of person at high risk group, and population exposed to or expected to be exposed to bird flu virus, will help in reducing the risk for a concurrent infections with human as well as bird virus.?
Experts here insist that several measures can be employed to help minimise the global public health risks that could arise from large outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in birds. One important measure is vaccination against seasonal flu.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has recommended the use of seasonal influenza vaccine to select groups at increased risk of exposure to the H5N1 avian influenza virus currently circulating in Asia. ?Targeted vaccination is one of the several measures for reducing opportunities for the simultaneous infection of humans with avian and human influenza viruses,? stated the expert group on influenza.
Said Anant Mohan from the Department of Medicine, AIIMS: ?WHO also indicates that reduced opportunities for dual infections decrease the opportunities for re-assortment and for the eventual emergence of a novel influenza virus which could become a pandemic potential.?
A. J. Chitkara from Max Hospital said: ?Seasonal vaccine is advised for all persons who are expected to be in contact with poultry or poultry farms.?

http://www.hindu.com/2008/02/18/stories/2008021860540300.htm

[Laidback Al]

Re: India - Bird Flu in Poultry/Animals Feb 5th +

Blog by Suman Dey, the veterinarian who first identified H5N1 among poultry in Margram, Birbhum District, West Bengal in January 2008.

http://deysuman.blogspot.com/2008/02/bird-flue-in-margram.html

See thread: http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/showthread.php?t=49068

[AlaskaDenise]

Re: India - Bird Flu in Poultry/Animals Feb 5th +

West Bengal duck sample tests positive for bird flu

February 18th, 2008

Bhopal, Feb 18 (IANS) A duck sample from West Bengal has tested positive for avian influenza, an official of the High Security Animal Disease Laboratory (HSADL) said Monday. HSADL joint director S.C. Dubey told IANS: ?A duck sample from West Bengal?s Nadia district has tested positive for bird flu despite the fact that ducks are less sensitive to the virus.?

Dubey added that samples of various kinds of birds were received from several places in the country but all of them tested negative.

He said HSADL has received 11,250 samples, mainly poultry, in the past one month. These include 888 serum and 559 tissue samples from West Bengal alone.

Of these, 8,250 have been tested and 81 were found bird flu infected. All the positive samples were from West Bengal.

However, none of the about 900 samples received from the state after Feb 4 has tested positive. The lab also conducted 243 post mortem tests on various avian species.

.

[Treyfish]

Re: India - Bird Flu in Poultry/Animals Feb 5th +

Jharkhand to begin culling today </ARTTITLE>
18 Feb 2008, 1453 hrs IST,PTIPAKUR (JHARKHAND): Eleven teams each comprising thirteen members on Monday set out for culling chickens as a preventive measure in Pakur's 21 villages bordering West Bengal's Birbhum district, official sources said.

The teams would begin culling under the guidance of District Rural Development Authority Director B P Singh, Sub-Divisional Officer A K Jha and Sub-Divisional Police Officer H N Mahali, the sources said.

The number of chickens culled could be known only after the return of the teams by the evening.

The step for culling is taken 20 days after Jharkhand received central orders to begin the exercise within a radius of five km of those Jharkhand districts adjoining the bird-flue hit districts of West Bengal to create an 'immunity belt'.

There is no no case of bird-flu reported in Jharkhand. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/I...ow/2792007.cms

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[Treyfish]

Re: India - Bird Flu in Poultry/Animals Feb 5th +

West Bengal: Behind the 'sin'
Sagarika Roy, 18 February 2008, Monday

Over 30 years in power is not a joke. But the state of West Bengal remains as it was – religious and superstitious sentiments still remain in vogue. And the Left Front government had no option but to accept because of political compulsion.


WEST BENGAL, after 30 years of Marxist rule, has proved yet again that superstitions reigns supreme in a more vigorous manner and rebellion against Marxist ideologies have powered out the Marxist think tanks.

Surprising but the cat came out of the bag when reports from different corners of the state suggested serious dissent against culling of the hens and chickens came from workers engaged in the culling process. Sections of the workers opposed the state move because they felt that culling “creatures of God” would send them to hell.

After culling several hundreds of hens and chickens they revolted. “Not all have the virus and instead of vaccination, we are ordered to kill hundreds of creatures of God. The state government will not save us from the sin we are committing,” they said.

Seems ridiculous! But believe it or not – the fact remains that the West Bengal government had to bow to the pressure born out of superstitions and lifted the ban on the sale and movement of poultry products within seven days of its imposition in the state on February 5. Originally the ban was for an indefinite period to check the spread of bird-flu.

The ban has been withdrawn on February 12 and the state’s non-vegetarian markets have gone back to its old glamour, selling chickens and eggs once again in full swing combating the sky-high price-hike of mutton.

The state animal husbandry minister Anisur Rahman announced that only after being assured that the virus of bird flu is no more active, the ban order had been withdrawn.

What Rahman has not propagated is a fear in religious corners. And that’s too before the state panchayat elections. He, like any party-man, had no other option but gave into political compulsion.

Bird-flu affected 14 districts in the state, and a sizable number of poultry owners belong to the minority community.

The bird flu outbreak was confirmed on January 15 for the first time in Birbhum and Dakshin Dinajpur districts and swiftly spread to the other districts. A total of 35 lakhs of chickens and hens have been culled, claimed the state government, adding that bird flu has caused a loss of about Rs 500 crores. It has demanded an aid of Rs 250 crores from the centre to cove the extensive losses.

The other pressure, which the state could not surmise however, came from the poultry owners who bring revenue for the state and have strong political equation.

The big players in the poultry market in and outside the state grumbled. The situation went to an extent where the union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar had to express surprise over the ban imposed by the West Bengal government on movement of poultry from the state. He said, “It’s the first time that such a decision has been taken. I will try to understand what the thinking is behind the decision before reacting,” he added. He felt since the poultry industry throughout the country has been affected, a different approach was needed.

The state government could well-understand the meaning of the statement and adhered to the new situation with a sullen face because they require Rs 80 crores for the compensation package, they need to distribute in rural areas, particularly because the bell for the panchayat vote has already started ringing. http://www.merinews.com/catFull.jsp?articleID=130319

[Treyfish]

Re: India - Bird Flu in Poultry/Animals Feb 5th +

Bird Flu: Centre in the dark
Pranesh Sarkar
KOLKATA, Feb. 19: Although rampant trading of chickens was reported in the Bird Flu affected blocks of West Bengal, despite a ban being imposed over trading of poultry for the next three months, the Centre had been kept in the dark in this regard.
A senior official of the department of animal husbandry, dairy & fisheries under the Central ministry of agriculture, told The Statesman on conditions of anonymity: ?We came to know about this from newspaper reports. But we are yet to receive any information in this regard officially. If trading of chickens and other poultry could not be stopped in the Bird Flu affected blocks, it might pose a serious threat.?
Officials of the department said that a better coordination between the Centre and the West Bengal government was needed in the post-culling operation period to nip the possibility of reemergence of the highly pathogenic H5N1 virus.
It can be recalled that the Centre had expressed dissatisfaction after the state reacted late to the Bird Flu outbreak initially. The Centre had also held the state responsible for not providing information at the earliest, which had actually worsened the situation.
However, after initial lapses, the state managed to tackle the situation with the help of Central teams. A number of teams from animal husbandry, dairying and fisheries department and the ministry of health and family welfare arrived here and helped the state to contain the situation in an efficient manner. Officials in New Delhi feel that the coordination should be maintained in the post-culling and mopping-up operations too as lackadaisical attitude could help the virus to reemerge.
Mr Pradeep Kumar, secretary to the animal husbandry, dairy & fisheries, was not available for comment.
However, the state animal resources department minister, Mr Anisur Rahman, earlier said they have strengthened the surveillance system to stop the trading of chickens in the Bird Flu affected blocks in the state along with some other measures. He also laid stress on awareness generating programmes in the bird flu affected blocks to make the backyard poultry farmers feel that trading of chickens in the next three months could cause further trouble.
http://www.thestatesman.net/page.new...ss=1&id=191612

[sharon sanders]

Re: India/Bengal Bird Flu Spread to Humans?

Hat tip to a friend of FT -

Bird flu update

There are no further reports from the HSADL, Bhopal of any sample testing positive from any part of the country, including West Bengal.

No unusual mortality was reported in West Bengal on 19th February, 2008.

The latest report brings out that a total of 173 Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) were engaged (19 for surveillance / mopping and 154 for disinfection and sanitization). The cumulative culling of poultry birds is 39.05 lakhs.

The cumulative total of eggs and feed destroyed till 19.02.2008 are 14,90,785 and 80,033 kg respectively.

There is also no change in the amount of compensation of Rs. 8.40 crores (approx.) paid to the affected families; which was reported yesterday.

In Assam, the poultry depopulation operation in the identified zone has been completed on 13.02.2008. Out of three districts in Bihar, culling has been completed in Purnia and Kishanganj districts. There are five blocks in Katihar district involved in the preventive culling. The exercise has been completed in four of the five blocks. The task is also expected to be completed in the remaining block today. In Jharkhand, culling has been completed in Jamtara district, as already reported. The exercise is currently in progress in Pakur district, which is also expected to be completed by 21.02.2008. No culling has yet been taken up in Orissa.

The Reserve Bank of India has issued guidelines to the banks on 19th February 2008 for implementation of relief measures for poultry industry. These include, one year?s moratorium on repayment of outstanding loans, conversion of working capital loans into term loans and reschedulement of term loans, etc.

MP:CP:birdflu(20.2.2008)

http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=35495

[sharon sanders]

Re: India - Bird Flu in Poultry/Animals Feb 5th +

Flu Trackers is in contact with one of the veterinarians who is involved in the culling and he reports that he is quarantined for a certain period of time as a precaution.

[Diane Morin]

Re: India - Bird Flu in Poultry/Animals Feb 5th +

Kolkata

Around 100 crows found dead

By OUR CORRESPONDENT

Kolkata, Feb. 23: While the state animal husbandry department (AHD), claimed that the state has successfully controlled avian influenza, a sudden unexplained death of around 100 crows at Chetla in south Kolkata has sparked-off a bird flu scare in the city.

On Saturday, the residents of Chetla were shocked to see dead crows lying all around. While most of them were already dead, some died later.

"I saw the birds drooling and flapping their wings before collapsing," a local said. Soon crows started falling down from the trees. "We are suspecting some kind of neuro toxic agent which affected their nervous systems, causing death," chief municipal officer for health, Debdaipayan Chattopadhyay said.

Municipal officers have collected samples from the area which were sent to the Belgachia Institute of Veterinary Sciences for tests.

"Crows are carriers of bird flu but rarely die because of it. However, we might send the samples to Bhopal for confirmation," state animal resources development minister, Anisur Rehman said.

The state government is continuing with the culling operations in various parts of Murshidabad, like Beldanga and Shoktipur. After the culling and mopping up operations were over, the state has renewed efforts to cull chickens in many areas once again.

http://www.asianage.com/presentation/leftnavigation/metros/kolkata/around-100-crows-found-dead.aspx

[HenryN]

Re: India - Bird Flu in Poultry/Animals Feb 5th +

Kolkata

Around 100 crows found dead



"Crows are carriers of bird flu but rarely die because of it. However, we might send the samples to Bhopal for confirmation," state animal resources development minister, Anisur Rehman said.


http://www.asianage.com/presentation...ound-dead.aspx

• Influenza A virus (A/crow/Bangkok/Thailand/2004(H5N1))
• Influenza A virus(A/crow/Bangkok/Thailand/CU-15/04(H5N1))
• Influenza A virus (A/crow/Bangkok/Thailand/CU-25/04(H5N1))
• Influenza A virus (A/crow/Bangkok/Thailand/CU-35/04(H5N1))
• Influenza A virus (A/crow/Bangkok/Thailand/CU-4/04(H5N1))
• Influenza A virus (A/crow/Egypt/9382NAMRU3-CLEVB111/2007_(H5N1))
• Influenza A virus (A/crow/Kyoto/53/2004(H5N1))
• Influenza A virus (A/crow/Osaka/102/2004(H5N1))
• Influenza A virus (A/crow/Thailand/CU-KAF3/2004(H5N1))

[HenryN]

Re: India - Bird Flu in Poultry/Animals Feb 5th +

Updated map

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&om=0&t=h&msa=0&msid=106484775090296685271.0004353ecc9cb8856de8c&start=400&num=200&ll=22.69512,88.357544&spn=2.057449,3.372803&z=8

[HenryN]

Re: India - Bird Flu in Poultry/Animals Feb 5th +

Crow deaths trigger bird flu panic
KOLKATA, Feb. 23: Unnatural death of several crows in Chetla area this morning triggered off widespread panic suspecting outbreak of avian influenza. While officials from the city civic body rushed to the spot, panic-stricken poultry shop-owners in the area downed shutters.
Confirming the news, local councillor, Mr Firhad (Bobby) Hakim said: ?Around 100 crows in the 86 Pally area of Chetla died mysteriously and panic spread in the area. Thus people suspected it to be a case of bird flu.?
A team of health department officials comprising of the local borough health executive and a veterinary doctor rushed to the spot and samples were collected for testing.
The state animal husbandry minister, Mr Anisur Rehman denied having any knowledge about the deaths. ?No such incidents came to my notice till date,? he said. However, allaying fears of a suspected outbreak, chief municipal officer (health), Dr Deb Dwaipayan Chattopadhyay said: ?No symptoms of bird flu have been found in the crows till now. The cause of death could either be neurological toxicity or a gastric toxicity.?
Explaining the reason for the large number of deaths, Dr Chattopadhyay said there might have been some toxic reaction inside the birds, resulting from something they consumed.
He said primary reports received from the veterinary sciences institute in Belgacchia have not mentioned any symptoms of avian influenza.
?We can be sure about the cause of death only after receiving reports from the institute,? the CMOH said. A report on the unnatural deaths will be made available within the next three to four days from the institute. sns

http://www.thestatesman.net/page.news.php?clid=6&theme=&usrsess=1&id=192135

[HenryN]

Re: India - Bird Flu in Poultry/Animals Feb 5th +

Commentary at

http://www.recombinomics.com/News/02230802/Crows_Calcutta_Panic.html