If Avian flu virus is detected in any migratory bird among the flocks now arriving, all poultry within three km of the area will be culled, the government decided today. In such a case, people of the area will be quarantined, and no movement of vehicles to and from the area will be allowed, it was decided at a high- level ministerial meeting attended by secretaries of Ministry of Health, Animal Husbandry and Environment here. The task force set up to combat any avian flu outbreak has decided to put in place pre-epidemic flu responses, or an action plan, keeping the focus on migratory birds, potential carriers of the H5N1 virus. The virus that killed around 65 people across the world, was also detected in migratory birds in China. For detecting any outbreak and preventing spread of the disease, the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) has been made the nodal agency. Besides, a rapid response team comprising senior officials of the three ministries has been set up. District Magistrates will coordinate with the team at the local level. In case the avian flu virus is detected in any area, the team will be the first to reach the spot. ‘‘Instead of waiting for an epidemic to hit, we have decided to work out a response system before any case is detected,’’ said Health Secretary P K Hota. The officials have also decided to provide preventive treatment to those handling poultry in vulnerable areas. ‘‘We have received the first consignment of 20,000 doses of Tamiflu from the World Health Organisation,’’ said Hota.
