Vikrant Shekhawat : Aug 26, 2024, 10:20 AM
Bird flu In Odisha: The panic caused by bird flu in Odisha highlights a serious problem. After the confirmation of the H5N1 variant in the Pipili area of Puri district, more than 5,000 chickens have been killed and a total of 20,000 birds are planned to be killed. To control this situation, the state government has taken immediate steps, including evacuating the poultry farms in the affected area and arranging compensation. Bird flu is a viral infection that mainly affects birds, but there is also a possibility of human infection. Proper hygiene and precautions are needed to avoid it.Bird flu in Odisha:There is an atmosphere of panic in Odisha due to bird flu. More than 5,000 chickens were killed after the H5N1 variant of avian influenza or bird flu was detected in the Pipili area of Puri district. Following the mass death of chickens at a poultry farm in Pipili, the state government had sent a veterinary team which collected samples and sent them for testing.A total of 20,000 birds to be culled:After the samples were reported positive, the government on Saturday started culling chickens at the farm and in the area. Additional Director of Disease Control Affairs Jagannath Nanda said 300 chickens were culled on Saturday, while over 4,700 were culled on Sunday. He said a total of 20,000 birds would be culled in Pipili.Poultry owners to get compensation:Joint Director of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services Manoj Patnaik said all birds within a one-km radius of the poultry farm would be culled and the farm would not be allowed to keep chickens for the next five months. He said farmers would be compensated as per the guidelines.What is bird flu?Bird flu is a viral infection that affects birds. It is caused by several strains of the influenza A virus, most of which are transmitted primarily among wild aquatic birds. However, domestic birds such as chickens, ducks and turkeys can also be infected with the virus. In rare cases, bird flu can infect humans and other animals.What are the symptoms of bird flu in humans?The symptoms of bird flu in humans vary depending on the type of virus. Common symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, muscle pain and headache. In severe cases, bird flu can cause pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome. The virus can be fatal in some cases.How to prevent bird flu?The best way to prevent bird flu is to maintain hygiene while handling poultry and poultry products. This includes washing hands with soap and water, cooking poultry products thoroughly and avoiding contact with sick birds. Necessary measures should be taken to prevent the spread of the disease in the flock by isolating sick birds and keeping the farm clean.Can bird flu be cured?There is no specific treatment for bird flu. Antiviral drugs are available that may be effective against some strains of the virus, but their effectiveness depends on early diagnosis and treatment. Treatment mainly consists of supportive care, which includes managing the symptoms and complications of the disease.How much risk of virus infection in humans:The case of human-to-human transmission of H5N1 has not been proven so far. Therefore, there is no need to panic. In such a situation, people working near poultry should definitely take precautions and maintain cleanliness.'It is important to avoid coming in contact with sick chickens:If someone is eating properly cooked poultry products, then there is no need to worry. So far there is no evidence that it can spread to people through properly cooked food. The virus is destroyed when food is cooked at high temperatures. Contact with infected, especially sick, poultry should be avoided.Can bird flu cause an epidemic?Bird flu has caused several outbreaks in poultry farms and has infected humans in rare cases. It is not easy for the virus to cause an epidemic. The virus does not spread easily from human to human and most cases of human infection occur through direct contact with infected birds.