Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s Health and Family Welfare Minister, Dr. Mukesh Mahaling, announced that a comprehensive micro and ground-level action plan to contain bird flu has been fully implemented following an outbreak in two blocks of Puri district. The outbreak, reported on 23 August 2024 in Satyabadi and Pipili blocks, had its epicenters at Raichakradharpur and Abalpur, respectively. Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) were immediately deployed to tackle the situation.
Samples collected from the affected areas were sent for testing, and confirmation of avian influenza came from the National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD) in Bhopal. Following this, the Department of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Sciences initiated outbreak investigations, culling operations, and daily surveillance as per the Government of India’s Avian Influenza Containment Protocol.
The district health teams were quickly mobilized, and specific micro-plans for Satyabadi and Pipili were put into action. “House-to-house visits are being conducted daily to actively search for any suspected cases of Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Infections (SARI),” Dr. Mahaling said. The state’s RRT also visited the affected areas to oversee the operations.
Health checks for cullers, farm owners, and their families are being conducted, with Oseltamivir tablets provided as preventive treatment. Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) and Behaviour Change Communication (BCC) campaigns have been launched to inform the public about preventive measures. All Swasthya Kanthas (health information boards) in the affected villages have been updated with relevant guidelines, and an isolation ward has been established at the Community Health Centre (CHC) in Mangalpur for the quarantine of suspected cases.
One member of the culling team, who exhibited ILI symptoms before the culling began, has been isolated, and his samples have been sent to the Regional Medical Research Centre (RMRC) in Bhubaneswar for testing. He is currently receiving Oseltamivir treatment.
Dr. Mahaling reassured the public, stating, “No confirmed cases of avian influenza in humans have been detected in Odisha so far.” The state continues to monitor the situation closely.
The proactive response by Odisha’s health authorities is aimed at preventing further spread of the virus while ensuring the safety and well-being of those in the affected areas.