Mangaluru, Nov.27 : Karnataka Health and Family Welfare Minister U .T.Khader has tried to dispel fears about the possible outbreak of avian influenza in Karnataka, saying that all precautionary measures have been initiated by the administration to prevent the contagious disease.
The minister issued the statement on Wednesday after he held an emergency meeting with the concerned officials of health and other departments at the Circuit House in the city directed the district health officer to be prepared to handle any situation.
A red alert has been sounded in the State’s districts bordering Kerala owing to an outbreak of avian influenza in a few districts in Kerala. A large number of ducks were reported to have died in Alappuzha, Pathanamthitta and Kottayam district of Kerala. Authorities in Kerala hastened to cull more than 200,000 birds following the fresh outbreak.
Mr Khader said that surveillance has been stepped up in Dakshina Kannada, Mysuru, Kodagu and Chamarajanagar. All vehicles entering the State from Kerala are being inspected at borders, he said. Mr Khader also urged the people not to neglect any kind of fever at this juncture as the symptoms of bird flu are similar to more common types of flu.
“There is no need to be panicked. Take care of your health and don’t ignore any types of fever. If you are suffering from fever immediately consult a doctor,” the minister advised.The minister also directed the authorities to visit the poultries and make sure that all recessionary measures like maintaining cleanliness and immediate burial of dead birds is are taken there.
