(Bird flu update) Following the outbreak of bird flu in Changedaphu, popularly known as Kala Bazaar, medicines are being distributed to the people who came in contact with the dead poultry birds and their products. More surveillance is being conducted within three kilometre radius of the area.
Over 90 people have come in contact with the dead birds.
The officials from health and livestock have given health education and have disinfected the place.
The coops were being dismantled and sprayed with disinfectant. It was then burned to prevent the bird flu from spreading. The people, those who have consumed the dead and sick birds are being given Tami flu, the only drug available to treat this flu.
The Technical Focal Person for Avian influenza, Dr. Gosar Pemba, said that they took the samples from those people who were showing some signs of the disease. He added that it is too early to say as it could be normal flu, cough, sneezing and fever. “From these people we are taking samples and take it in our laboratory and see if any one of them has infection.”
Rapid test have shown negative results.
Meanwhile, more than 140 birds have been culled, 190 eggs destroyed belonging to 48 poultry owners.
This is the first case of bird flu outbreak recorded in the capital. Specialists suspect the recent outbreak in Tshimasham to be the source of the outbreak.
The culling process lasted at least four hours. According to the Bhutan Agriculture and Food Regulatory Authority’s (BAFRA) specialist J.B Gurung, the culling operation was carried out late night as the affected area is within the city and it could pose a high risk for human health.
The Director General of the Department of Livestock, Tenzin Dendhup, says 38 birds have died. Another eleven birds are sick.
According to BAFRA’s Director General disinfection of vehicles and strict monitoring of imports of poultry and poultry products by BAFRA at various entry points will resume.
