Bird Flu hits Bangalore

Still hung with the 'so good' taste of hot & crispy boneless bucketful you ate at the nearest KFC restaurant yesterday? Well then, don't fear on seeing this post; "People need not panic as the influenza has not spread as of now" says Mr. Revu Naik Belamagi, the Minister for Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services, Govt. of Karnataka.

Image Courtesy: The Telegraph

High Security Animal Disease Laboratory at Bhopal confirmed that the blood samples of Turkeys drawn from Central Poultry Development Organization & Training Institute, Hesaraghatta, Bangalore were tested positive for Avian Influenza (H5N1) virus, following death of many turkey birds since early this October. Immediate to the report from Bhopal, all turkey birds were culled & safely disposed; a 10Km radius area around Hesaraghatta was declared 'Alert Zone'; sale of poultry meat & eggs was prohibited and movement of all poultry & its products from and into the alert zone was also banned.

A short personal interruption; I had earlier drafted a detailed writeup to publish, for this being my 100th Blog post, which was then edited to fit well within a paragraph in view of Social Awareness gaining importance. Even now, am finding it hard to accept the fact that I somehow managed to creep across the milestone, which should sincerely be attributed to all my readers for their constant support and encouragement. In our recent conversation, Dr. T. S. Ramananda who is a well-known writer and one of my role models suggested me that I try to publish a Book since this Blog is reaching a limited audience. Following his thought & this 100th post, am seriously thinking to bring out a compilation of some selected posts from this Blog of mine in the form of a Book. Hoping for the possible best, I shall soon consult my personal sponsor regarding this - my Wife :o)

Rapid Response Teams consisting of Veterinarians, Para-vets & supporting staff have been already formed to tackle the present Avian Influenza (commonly called as Bird Flu) chaos and also to take up further investigations, followed by appropriate measures to cull infected birds and dispose them off safely; thus checking further infections. As in this case, professional hazards have always been a challenge to Veterinarians and Para-vets, who deserve all the credit for keeping the situation under control. Appropriate services are also being extended by officials and staff from the Department of Health, Police & BBMP in this regard.

Since its first occurrence in humans in 1997, AI (H5N1) virus has been of utmost importance worldwide for it being the most pathogenic strain of its group and its ability of undergoing mutation to infect humans as well. Typical bird flu symptoms in humans include cough, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, fever, headache, runny nose, sore throat & muscle aches. Hundreds of humans, mostly farmers, farm women and those working with poultry have fallen sick of Avian Influenza and statistics reveal that up to 60% of those who became ill have died. 'The Telegraph' reported that Indonesia has been the nation hardest-hit by bird flu, with 150 deaths reported between 2003 and 2011. However, solace is the fact that there are no deaths reported due to bird flu since beginning of this year in the Country.

Basically, Indian food habits are said to destroy most of the food-borne infections; following the thorough cooking at constantly higher temperatures. Said this, can we still continue eating poultry meat & eggs? Is it 'unsafe' to consume chicken & eggs from the commercial eateries? - Finding an answer to these questions for now is not all that easy. 'Once Saved Always Saved' concept might tend to keep us away; but the yummy McEgg Burger is definitely too much a temptation!!

Hesaraghatta in Bangalore has been known for its richest biodiversity across the Country; for it being the site of many significant and advanced animal husbandry activities from ages. It was a nice place of weekend hangouts with kids for Bangaloreans, where they could enjoy the beauty of nature to its fullest. But not for now; it would be better to keep away from places in and around Hesaraghatta - One, not to get ourselves infected and Two, not to facilitate the spread of infection beyond the nucleus of alert zone.