New Delhi: Bird flu has hit Maharashtra. Two people have already been put in isolation as they suspected victims of the flu and lakhs of birds are being culled.
Eight people with Upper Respiratory Track Infection and mild fever, who have history of poultry deaths in their backyard farms, are under observation in isoltion wards.
None of them have developed pneumonia yet though.
And even as scientists worry that the flu might mutate after combining with the human flu virus, the Centre has already developed a strategy to contain the disease - culling chickens.
The government's clean up drive to contain avian influenza is to culling six lakh birds and bury them before the vaccination drive begins.
Poultry farms across the country will also be under the scanner. However, officials caution that this is only a local outbreak.
Says Joint Secretary, Animal Husbandry Upma Choudhary, "This is just a local infection. 60 rapid response teams have been formed to cull the affected poultry after confirmation of the outbreak. The Government of India has rushed vaccines for use in Maharashtra and Gujarat on poultry and vaccines have also been stocked at Navapur and Aurangabad.''
She added that a ban has been imposed on the movement and trading of poultry products in 19 villages and in Navapur town.
No human fatality due to avian influenza has been confirmed though more then 9000 doses of Tamiflu have been sent ground zero. Officials however added a note of caution.
Says Indian Council of Medical Research Director, K Ganguly, "Tamiflu and PPE are the best option as of now. In fact there are no other options except these drugs."
About 58,000 courses of Tamiflu and 5000 courses of PPE sets are in stock. Additional order has been placed for 20,000 coures of Tamiflu and 10,000 PPE sets.
The medicines however, would not be sold over the counter but would be available only through public health system as Tamiflu has side effects and may not be entirely safe for children.
Also health experts are worried that indiscriminate use could result in development of resistance for the drug.
How the virus reached tribal Nundurbar's organised poultry farms is not known but it has been mutating for the past two weeks before hitting home.
Vaccines for humans are not available and Tamiflu is only an option to fight avian influenza.
The only silver lining in the otherwise black cloud is that summer is around the corner and the virus is not likely to survive the summer heat.
(With inputs from agencies)
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