Export Fears Follow Bird Flu Outbreak

INDIA - An outbreak of avian influenza has been confirmed in a turkey unit of the government-run Central Poultry Development Organisation in Bangalore.

The outbreak has triggered fear among farmers and exporters in Tamil Nadu that poultry products from across the country will be prevented from entering overseas and domestic markets, reports The Hindu.
Secretary of the Animal Husbandry Department (AHD), Government of India, Gokul Chandra Pati confirmed the outbreak of bird flu in a report he submitted to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) on Friday. He stated that 3,481 turkeys had succumbed to the flu at the farm in the second week of October.
Based on test results from the High Security Animal Disease Laboratory in Bhopal, the department has identified a highly-pathogenic avian influenza virus as the cause of death. The report, however, made it clear that the occurrence was only in a zone or compartment and not the entire country.

H5N1 Bird Flu Outbreak in Karnataka

INDIA - Officials are saying that the outbreak of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has been "nipped in the bud".

With reports about the detection of avian influenza (bird flu) at the Central Poultry Development Organisation (CPDO) near Hessarghatta here, the State Health Department has stepped up vigil against the dreaded infection, reports The Hindu.
Calling upon people not to panic as the flu was only at the bird stage, M. Madan Gopal, Principal Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, told The Hindu on 26 October that "the flu that had made its presence known in a bird a fortnight ago was nipped in the bud".

"While there is no need to panic as the situation is not alarming, we want to assure people that the department is prepared to handle any emergency. We have adequate stocks of Tamiflu (oseltamivir phosphate), the medicine for flu," he said.
"Our doctors will conduct daily medical check-up of those who are involved in the culling operations. We have already started giving them prophylactic doses of Tamiflu as a preventive measure," Mr Madan Gopal said. 

High-Path Bird Flu Strikes Bangalore

29 October 2012

INDIA - Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) of the H5N1 sub-type has been reported at a government-run poultry farm in Bangalore has been reported .

The veterinary authority in India sent an Immediate Notification dated 26 October 2012 ..The outbreak started on 12 October at the Hessarghatta Turkey Unit at the Central Poultry Development Organization in Bangalore in the state of Karnataka in southern India. Of the 4,265 birds on the farm, 3,481 died and 784 have been destroyed.The source of infection is unknown or inconclusive, according to the report. An epidemiological investigation is ongoing. An intensive surveillance campaign has been launched in a 10-km radius zone. Restocking will be applied in accordance with a specified protocol.