Vigil against avian flu intensified

A day after avian flu hit Bengaluru, surveillance measures have been intensified.

In a meeting called by the additional chief secretary of the Department of Health and Family Welfare, Ajay Seth, officials were asked to take measures to intensify the surveillance activities up to 10 kilometres radius of the affected area.

District collector, police commissioner and officials from the Health Department attended the meeting.

"We have asked to cull the chickens in one-kilometre radius. But there are no poultry farms in this area. We are also conducting house-to-house surveillance to know if people are infected," Ajay Seth said.

He added that people, as well as doctors, were being informed about the flu. They can inform the department if they find any such cases.
"As of now, there is nothing to panic," he added.

The avian flu has not spread from Yelahanka zone, confirmed Sarfaraz Khan, joint commissioner, health, BBMP.

"We along with the Health Department have taken proper precautionary measures and there is no need to be panic. The officials have been instructed to report us immediately if they find there is a report about infection," Khan said.