Bird flu hits Karnataka, H5N1 virus found in poultry farm near Bengaluru, more than 7000 chickens killed

News India Live, Digital Desk: The outbreak of bird flu on the outskirts of Karnataka’s capital Bengaluru has increased the concern of the administration and poultry businessmen. The deadly H5N1 avian influenza virus has been confirmed in a government poultry farm located in Hesaraghatta. State Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao reviewed the situation on Saturday and appealed to the people not to panic. As a precautionary measure, large-scale culling of chickens has been completed in the affected area. Hesarghatta becomes infected zone, thousands of chickens buried. The case of infection came to light in the Poultry Training Center located in Mathkuru village of Hesarghatta. After the virus was confirmed in the report of Bhopal-based National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD), the administration immediately swung into action. Large-scale action: On April 15, 7,444 chickens of the farm were scientifically killed and buried in a pit. Destroyed material: Along with the chickens, 14,788 eggs and about 2,250 kg of poultry feed were also completely destroyed. Restricted area: 3 kilometer radius of the farm has been declared ‘infected zone’ and the movement of outsiders there has been banned for one year. 10 employees quarantined, door-to-door monitoring started. The health department has quarantined 10 employees involved in this campaign and they are being given the drug ‘Oseltamivir’ as a precaution. Surveillance circle: 10 kilometer radius of the infected area. The Health Department is keeping an eye on the population of about 22,395 in 17 villages falling in the (Surveillance Zone). Deployment of ASHA workers: For the next 10 days, ASHA workers and health workers will go door-to-door to check the symptoms of fever. Is it safe to eat chicken and eggs? Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao has clarified that there is no need to panic. “It is safe to eat fully cooked chicken and eggs, as the virus dies at high temperatures,” he said. However, they have advised people not to come in direct contact with sick or dead birds. If anyone notices unusual deaths in pet birds, they should immediately inform the Animal Husbandry Department. ‘Yellow Alert’ issued to hospitals Private hospitals in and around Bengaluru have been directed to immediately share information on patients with acute respiratory illness (SARI) or influenza-like symptoms (ILI) on the portal. Adequate stock of PPE kits, masks and essential medicines has been ensured at Hesaraghatta and Sonnenhalli Primary Health Centres.