India is in state of pre-preparedness for bird flu
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By Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, India, The Government of India is seized of the WHO Report on Bird flu, warning India and other South Asian countries of infection to humans, which could take a heavy toll. Reacting to the WHO report, the Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Dr.Anbumani Ramadoss said, the Centre is aware of the situation and has already been taking pre-cautionary measures to check the spread of the disease. He said that despite the WHO warning, which does not speak of immediate danger of infection, there should be no cause for alarm. So far, there has been no human to human transmission of the virus and as long as it remains restricted to bird to human transmission, we are safe, he said.
Pointing out that the government is in a state of pre-preparedness, Dr.Ramadoss said, the Prime Minister is ready for a high level meeting to discuss the issue. The current strategy of the government include, pre-preparedness for a vaccine, change of vaccine according to the strain of the virus, alertness particularly about mass death of birds, poultry etc and the creation of a general awareness, especially to contain the alarm. The Centre is in regular touch with WHO, the State governments, the Ministry of Environment and others Agencies concerned with the problem, he said.
Since the method of transmission of the virus is through migratory birds and no human to human transmission having taken place, a vaccine at the moment is not feasible, as we do not know the strain of the virus. However Anti-virus drugs are being kept in stock for any exigency.
Dr.Ramadoss pointed out that so far there has been only 67 deaths world-wide by the Avian flu and only two companies are producing the patented anti-virus drugs. The issue is how much of these drugs should we stock until a vaccine is ready, as the spread of the disease is not imminent. He said the WHO has suggested surveillance and monitoring and it has been approached for further directions. Dr.Ramadoss was reacting to the WHO Report here last night, in an interview to a private television channel.
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