Over 900 birds were culled and buried as per protocol on Thursday as a preventive measure against the spread of the avian flu virus. According to sources in the Department of Animal Husbandry, all the birds in a one-km radius of the shop in Dasarahalli, where one chicken tested positive, have been culled.
The culled birds have been buried in a deep pit lined with lime, near the Hebbal crematorium. The six people involved in culling operations will be quarantined for 10 days.
Rajkumar Khatri, principal secretary of Department of Animal Husbandry, said that the staff of primary health centres (PHCs) in Amruthhalli, Thanisandra and Kadugondanahalli, along with anganwadi and ASHA workers, are going door-to-door in the area. The area in a 10-km radius of the Dasarahalli shop has been declared a surveillance zone. “A central team with public health doctors from Kolkata supervised the culling operations and other measures that we have put in place,” he said.
Shops to remain closed for 15 days
All shops selling poultry products, which were asked to shut down, will continue to be closed for another 15 days. Byregowda, Director, Institute of Animal Health and Veterinary Biologicals, said that the department had put in place measures to restrict the movement of birds from the surveillance zone to other parts of the city and State. “The officials of the BBMP, revenue and police departments have been intimated in this regard,” he said.
With the reported decrease in the sale of poultry products, many online retailers, who exclusively deliver meat, have been messaging their subscribers to assuage their fears. In their messages, they claim that their poultry products are ‘avian flu safe’.
Dr. Byregowda stated that these retailers will not be sourcing their meat (birds) from either the infected zone or surveillance zone. “There is no need to panic. Chicken and egg, if cooked at a temperature exceeding 70 degree Celsius, is safe for consumption,” he added.
Precautionary steps
* Temporary health clinic opened in Dasarahalli, Yelahanka hobli.
* Sufficient stock of Tamiflu, masks in areas under BBMP and Bengaluru (Urban) district.
Helplines not working
The two helplines set up to respond to queries of citizens with regard to avian flu are not working. The two helplines were to be manned by doctors and veterinarians. However, The Hindu tried the two numbers — 1800-425-0012 (a toll free number) and (080)23417100 — several times on Thursday evening, but could not connect.
Sources in the Department of Animal Husbandry claimed that the helplines have been outsourced to an agency and the lines get ‘locked’ post 7 p.m. “By Friday, the helplines will be made available 24/7,” a source said.
