Following is the text of the statement by Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss, Union
Minister for Health and Family Welfare in Lok Sabha today :
“World
Health Organisation (WHO) had issued an alert that Bird Flu could spread to
other countries including India after an outbreak of Avian Influenza Virus
(H5N1) was first detected in the Republic of Korea in December, 2003.
Preparedness
The
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India has taken adequate
measures to contain the human cases of avian influenza if it was to happen. The
measures instituted are :
·
I have been regularly reviewing the situation. A National Consultation
Meeting on Pandemic Preparedness has also been undertaken by me on August
01, 2005 with all the stakeholders to discuss the pandemic preparedness and
Response Plan.
·
I have also approved for instituting interventions for pandemic
preparedness in a phased manner and I am constantly reviewing the matter.
A joint Monitoring Group
was set up under the chairmanship of the Director General of Health Services,
is reviewing the situation regularly. The Chief Secretary of all States/Union
Territories and Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry were requested to
keep a close watch on fatality among bird population, especially poultry and
appearance of severe respiratory illness in the exposed human population and to
inform any such occurrence to Ministry of Health & Family Affairs. Other
ministries like Home, Shipping, External Affairs, Environment and Forests were
also alerted.
A
contingency plan to manage human cases of Avian Influenza has been prepared and
circulated to all States. A model State action plan has also been prepared and
discussed with state health secretaries.
The
National Institute of Communicable Diseases [NICD], Delhi has been identified
as the nodal agency to investigate any suspected cases/outbreak. National
Institute of Virology [NIV], Pune has also been identified for laboratory
support. Rapid response teams (RRTs) have been constituted and kept in
readiness. Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has strengthened Influenza
surveillance network with 5 other institutions viz (i) AIIMS, (ii) Entero Viral
Unit, Kolkata (iii) RMRC, Dibrugarh (iv) King Institute, Chennai and NIV, Pune.
A Task
Force under the chairmanship of Secretary (H&FW) was constituted to ensure
availability of drugs and vaccines for management of Avian Influenza in the
country. This task force decided to procure one-lakh courses of Oseltamivir
(Tamiflu). 50,000 courses of Oseltamavir and 10,000 personal protective equipments
have already been stockpiled.
NICD has
trained state level rapid response teams and held sensitization workshops for
Para-military forces. Information, Education & Communication (IEC)
strategies have also been finalized.
Response :
On
February 15, 2006 information was received from the Department of Animal
Husbandry about large-scale mortality in poultry from Navapur taluk, Nandurbar
District of Maharashtra. Preliminary reports had revealed the possibility of
New Castle (Ranikhet) disease. On February 18, 2006 the test reports of some
samples from affected poultry were confirmed as positive for H5N1 strain of
Avian Influenza.
As
a matter of abundant caution and without waiting for confirmation from High
Security Animal Disease Laboratory (HSADL), Bhopal, the Ministry of Health
decided to send the Rapid Response Team (RRT) of NICD to Navapur, Maharashtra
on February 16, 2006 itself with all the necessary medicines and equipments.
The team is presently surveying the area to identify the people who may have
come in contact with the infected birds.
On
February 17, the RRT visited the local hospitals and observed that over the
last 10 days there was no patient with common flu symptoms. However,
subsequently six persons with symptoms of common cold were detected and are
under observation. None of these cases have any pneumonia. The teams are in the
field and assisting the State health authorities in carrying out active
surveillance [house to house search] to identify suspected cases among contacts
of infected poultry. In order to make confirmatory tests, the RRT has obtained
clinical samples randomly from the bird handlers and sent to NIV, Pune and
NICD, Delhi. The samples are being tested as per protocols. Another RRT has
been sent to Surat District, Gujarat on February 19, 2006.
The
Navapur sub-district hospital has been strengthened. Isolation beds have been
created and dedicated staff identified for treating cases. Four ventilators
have reached Navapur along with two anesthetists.
On
February 19, 2006 Department of Animal Husbandry has started culling of birds
as per their contingency plan. The RRT sensitized the cullers on proper of use
of personal protective equipments and self care. Health status of cullers are
being monitored.
My
Ministry has dispatched 11,000 doses of Tamiflu and 3000 sets of Personal
Protective Equipments to Maharashtra and Gujarat besides meeting the immediate
requirement of Department of Animal Husbandry and is in constant touch with the
state health authorities of Maharashtra, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. Cabinet
Secretary has also been reviewing the situation on regular basis.
Round the
clock control room is functioning from Emergency Medical Relief Division,
Directorate General of health Services [ Tel.No.23061302; FAX No.23061457] and
from National Institute of Communicable Diseases, 22, Sham Nath Marg
[Tel.No.23921401; FAX: 23913028].
As on date
there is no confirmed case of human Avian Influenza. I would like to assure the
house that the situation is being closely monitored and under control.”
SRK/vk
(Release ID :15629)