The State Government has sounded a Statewide alert after a positive case of bird flu was detected at Anjora in Rajnangaon district.
A statement issued by the Health Directorate here on Friday stated that bird flu is a contagious disease which affects birds, pigs and sometimes even humans, an official statement issued here stated. The domestic poultry farms pose the biggest risk of spread of Bird Flu. The infected birds can spread the infection to food, cages, shoes of poultry workers, clothes through their droppings into the atmosphere.
The human to human spread of infection does not show symptoms immediately but is likely to show up in future. The affected persons develops fever, sore throat, coughing, headache, muscle pain and cold. The infection affects the respiratory system while causing swelling in the brain and the heart. The class most vulnerable to the infection are those who are linked to the poultry business who sell chicken or eggs. Those living in the markets selling eggs are most vulnerable to contracting the disease.
The precautions to be taken for protecting oneself from the disease is not to touch feather, saliva or droppings of the birds, those having birds as pets at home must wear a mask before tending to birds, pregnant women and children must keep away from birds, chicken should be cooked at 70 degrees celcius for more than 30 minutes if one decides to consume it, one needs to repeatedly wash hands with soap after coming in contact with poultry birds and the poultry workers etc. If one finds birds dead suddenly in their locality, they need to immediately inform the Veterinary Officer in their region.