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Avian Flu: Delhi Govt fails to set up Action Plan

Officials blame the Centre-run labs for failing to provide timely reports which can help them to curb this menace

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An Indian vendor puts a chicken in a cage at a poultry market in New Delhi on Monday. The New Delhi Zoo was temporarily closed after two birds died of the Avian Flu, a month after India declared itself free of the disease
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More than 10 days since the first case of bird flu came to light, the Delhi Government is yet to come up with an action plan. Officials say that this is due to a delay in reports being issued from laboratories run by the Central government.

Senior officials of the Delhi government said that while the large number of dead birds has left the departments in a frenzy, the lack of information has ensured that any action is being delayed.

"The action plan can only be formed once we have a clear picture whether or not all the deaths have been caused due to Avian Influenza. Furthermore, our department officials have also hinted that some of the dead birds also showed symptoms of the 'Ranikhet disease'. If that is the case, other precautions may have to be taken," said a senior official of Delhi government.

Since the incident first came to light on October 14, a total of 64 birds have been found dead across Delhi. However, merely three cases have been attributed so far based on the first report. Officials say that they have received no report of the other samples sent for testing for bird flu.

Sources in the Delhi government said that labs usually take 48 to 72 hours to come out with the results. However, the reports of more than 50,000 samples which have been sent so far are yet to be received. "We have sent more than 50,000 samples from the various birding sites in Delhi, however we have only received the report of three samples," said a government official.

The official added that the Delhi government will follow the containment guidelines set by the Union government for Avian Influenza once the reports are received.

Delhi development minister Gopal Rai said that the government was doing all it could to work with the Centre to deal with the bird flu crisis. "We have sought an appointment from the Union Agriculture minister, Radha Mohan Singh for Tuesday to apprise him of the situation, and also ask that the lab reports be expedited so that appropriate action can be taken in the matter."

Meanwhile, the Delhi government has also issued an 11-point advisory to the city residents, asking them to take full precautions when dealing with birds. The government has also asked people to ensure that they do not consume raw meat or half boiled eggs.

Do's

  • Avoid direct contact with bird secretions
     
  • Clean all feeders, waterer cages, used for birds with detergents (soap/surf). Dispose properly off all slaughter waste.
     
  • Please don't touch dead birds with naked hands and inform the control room. Call 011-2389-0318 for further action.
     
  • Wash hands frequently at the time of dealing with raw poultry products. Take due care of personal hygiene. Maintain cleanliness in surrounding.
     
  • Always use mask and gloves at the time of dealing with raw chicken/chicken products.
     
  • Eat only cooked meat and meat products (100ºC)
     
  • In case any pond etc. is near your Mohalla, Park, etc. and is not being disinfected with lime etc., then inform on above mention Control room Number.

DON'TS

  • Do not consume uncooked chicken or eggs
     
  • Do not consume half cooked chicken/bird or half boiled or half fried eggs
     
  • Prevent exposure from sick looking (sluggish) chicken
     
  • Do not keep raw meat near the cooked meat
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