BENGALURU: Lab tests have confirmed the mass death of peacocks (more than 40) to avian influenza in the jurisdiction of Siddaganga Math Primary Health Centre in Tumakuru district particularly in and around Kolihalli, Byrasandra, Hullenahalli and Thimmegowdanapalya from April 16 to 23. Initially, it was suspected the peacocks might have died owing to severe heat the region is experiencing and also over scarcity of water.
A Tumakuru forest official told Deccan Chronicle “No fresh peacock deaths have occurred recently. The deaths occurred about a week back.”
Meanwhile, Minister of Health and Family Welfare Services Dinesh Gundu Rao on Saturday stated samples collected from peacock carcasses and subjected to lab tests have revealed H5NI virus positive leading to the mass deaths.
He, however, asked the public not to panic over avian influenza and assured necessary precautionary measures have been initiated to contain the spread of the virus which spreads to humans as well as pigs/boars. If humans are infected by the virus, the Minister said it could cause respiratory issues and some serious health issues.
Acting quick to tackle the situation, Rao said a 3-km radius from the affected areas have been declared infected zones and 10-km radius has been marked as surveillance zones. In the next 10-days, he said, heath monitoring will be carried out for about 20, 432 people across 38 villages in the identified zones. An inter-departmental coordination meeting has already been held under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner and necessary containment steps are in place.
Rao wanted the people in the affected zones in particular to avoid contact with dead or visibly sick birds, ensure chicken and its eggs are thoroughly cooked at right temperatures, maintain hand hygiene by washing regularly with soap and keep distance from individuals showing respiratory symptoms.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: deccanchronicle.com
