Avian flu: Centre sets up task force

With 118 cases of human flu and 60 deaths across the world, the government has formed a high-level inter-ministerial task force to watch out for possible outbreak of Avian Flu and to ensure stockpiling of sufficient medicines and drafting of an action plan.

The task force, headed by Cabinet Secretary B.K.Chaturvedi, will include secretaries of health, environment, animal husbandry and agriculture ministries. 8220;While the inter-group consultations would take place everyday, the Cabinet Secretary would review the situation every fortnight,8217;8217; Secretary Health P.K.Hota said.

The group will also monitor networking with international agencies like the WHO and exchange information with other countries. 8216;8216;States have been alerted and asked to increase surveillance and strengthen hospital services. Each case of pneumonia reported in hospitals has to be screened carefully,8217;8217; Hota said.