Bhubaneswar, Aug 29: The Odisha government has implemented a detailed micro- and ground-level action plan to combat bird flu in the state, according to Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Mukesh Mahaling.
He reported that the plan was set into motion following an outbreak reported on August 23 in two blocks—Satyabadi and Pipili in Puri district, with epicenters at Rai Chakradharpur and Abalpur, respectively.
The Rapid Response Team (RRT) was immediately deployed to collect samples, which were sent to the National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD) in Bhopal for testing. After confirming the presence of avian influenza, the Department of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Sciences initiated outbreak investigations, culling operations, and daily surveillance in line with the Government of India's "Avian Influenza Containment Protocol."
The state RRT team has also been actively monitoring the situation, conducting daily health check-ups of cullers, farm owners, and their families to detect any influenza symptoms. Preventive therapy with Oseltamivir tablets is being administered. Additionally, Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) and Behavior Change Communication (BCC) initiatives are underway, and all Swasthya Kanthas have been updated in the affected villages.
An isolation ward has been established at the Community Health Centre (CHC) in Mangalpur for quarantining suspected cases. Dr. Mahaling mentioned that one person from the culling team, who had shown ILI symptoms prior to the culling operation, has been isolated. His samples have been sent to RMRC Bhubaneswar for diagnosis, and he has been provided with a treatment dose of Oseltamivir.
