(a) whether the Government is aware that the World Health Organisation has issued warning in regard to spread of bird flu and outbreak of some other diseases in India;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government has formulated any scheme to check the spread of bird flu and other diseases;
(d) if so, the details of the steps/measures taken by the Government in this regard; and
(e) the amount spent by the Government on prevention of the same during the last five years?
THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (DR. ANBUMANI RAMADOSS)
(a)to(e): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 419 FOR 24TH AUGUST, 2005
No case of Bird Flu (Avian Influenza) has been reported in India either in humans or birds. Bird Flu among poultry was reported from Asian countries of Republic of Korea, Vietnam, Japan, Thailand, Cambodia, China, Laos, Indonesia, Malaysia and human cases were reported in Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia and Indonesia. World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed concern about the threat of influenza A (H5N1) virus spread in Asia and its potential to spread globally following the cases reported in South Asian countries in humans as well as in birds.
Government of India took adequate measures to prevent entry of Avian Influenza into India. The measures instituted are:-
- Government of India alerted all State Governments/Union/ Territories administrations to keep a close watch on fatality among bird population, especially poultry and appearance of severe respiratory illness in the exposed human population.
- Ministry of Home Affairs, Environment & Forest, Shipping and Railways were sensitized on the issue to prevent cross border entry through poultry, poultry products and migratory birds.
- Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying had written to the Chief Secretaries and the Directors of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services of all the States/UTs enclosing guidelines for prevention and spread of the disease in poultry and proforma for reporting the disease. A ban was also enforced on import of poultry and poultry related products from all countries affected with bird flu outbreak. The states have been alerted to be vigilant and guidelines issued from time to time to prevent ingress and spread of the disease in case of any event the State Animal Disease Emergency Committees (SADEC) have been activated and surveillance is undertaken.
- A Joint Monitoring Group under the Chairmanship of Director General of Health Services consisting members from Indian Council of Medical Research, National Institute of Communicable Diseases, World Health Organization and Department of Animal Husbandry is monitoring the situation and advising appropriate action to the Government.
- National Institute of Communicable Diseases, Delhi, has been identified as nodal agency to investigate any suspected cases/outbreak among human population and the laboratories under Indian Council of Medical Research are kept in readiness.
- Because of the proactive steps taken by the Government, there is no spread of avian Influenza from neighboring countries into India.
- As Avian Influenza has the potential to cause human infections and a pandemic, a National Pandemic Preparedness Plan has been prepared by Directorate General of Health Services. A National level Consultation meeting, chaired by the Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare, was held on 1st August, 2005, with all concerned to further concretize the plan and follow up action.
- Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries, under the 10th Plan, has a Macro Management Centrally Sponsored Scheme, `Livestock Health and Diseases Control (LH&DC)`, under which there is one component `Assistance to States for Control of Animal Disease (ASCAD)`. Under this, Central assistance of Rs.33.27 crores (2003-04), Rs.54.50 crores (2004-05) and Rs.36.20 crores (2005-06 till date) has been provided to various States/Union Territories.