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| Sunday, 26 February 2006 |
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Vet. Dept. braces to tackle bird flu By Shanika Sriyananda International support would be solicited to implemented public awareness programs in the LTTE controlled areas to combat a possible outbreak of Avian Bird flu. Health authorities have already launched surveillance and prevention measures to create a public awareness on the danger of the viral flu. The Department of Animal Production and Health took this decision after receiving reports that sick chicken were being smuggled in by boat from India. LTTE controlled areas, which lack proper surveillance and education on the deadly H5N1 strain, are not covered by the Department Veterinary Surveillance. Over 30 Veterinary Rangers and Veterinary Surgeons in the North and East have been alerted to look out for sick birds in poultry farms. According to Department Director Dr. S. K. R. Amarasekara, there appears no risk at the moment but if the 'smuggling' of chicken continues the danger of the virus coming into Lankan territory looks high. However, he said there was no need to panic and assured that chicken in the local market was 100 per cent free of the H5N1 strain. "Chicken is safe to consume and chicken and or by-products will not be imported to the country from the bird flu hit countries including India. But, public alert is essential," he cautioned. He said fully cooked chicken would kill the virus as it was highly sensitive to heat and those infected by the virus had contracted the disease due to close contacts with birds. Meanwhile, tough measures have been taken to screen all meat imports and by-products at the airport, and ports. Over half a million chicken have been killed in the Navapur district, in India after the authorities found the lethal bird with flu strain. Since Sri Lanka's migratory birds route links western India, the Department, according to Dr. Amarasekara, has instructed farmers to keep the birds in cages to minimise close contacts with wild birds. Amarasinghe further said the Ministry of Health was ready to face the outbreak of bird flu since September 2005 to take all necessary steps under the guidelines set by the National Document on how to deal with avian flu. It was prepared by the National Committee following the recommendations of several sub committees which looked into laboratory facilities, clinical management, surveillance, information and logistic supplies. The Medical Supplies Division (MSD) had stocked all necessary anti-viral
drugs and the personal protection equipment, including special masks and
gloves. Some have been already distributed to main government hospitals in
each district by the MSD. |
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