No need for panic over bird flu: IMA

November 26, 2014 09:57 am | Updated 09:57 am IST - THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has said that there is no need for panic over the outbreak of bird flu virus in two districts.

Only people who directly handle the birds afflicted with the strains of the virus, identified as H5N1 and H7N9, are said to be in danger of getting infected, the IMA said in a press release.

According to the World Health Organisation statistics, only 668 persons have been diagnosed with avian influenza the world over, between the years 2003 and 2014. The likelihood of the disease spreading from one human being to another is extremely low, the press note added. Bird meat and eggs that are well cooked are perfectly safe to eat, the IMA statement says.

That said, the government should take immediate steps to ensure that the spread of the disease among the birds was restricted and carry out a health survey in the areas where the disease was confirmed, to make sure that the infection had not spread to human beings. The government should also synchronise the work of various departments and also ensure that prophylactic and treatment drugs were available, the IMA press note said.

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