The GOI has issued alert on bird flu (Avian Influenza) outbreak in Rajasthan along three other states, namely, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh. The government has issued advisories to contain further spread of the infection in poultry birds, crows and migratory birds around various lakes and bird sanctuaries.
In Rajasthan, the main affected regions are Baran, Kota, and Jhalawar districts. However, the deaths of crows in other districts are also reported.
Precautions are needed to check the secondary spread the 'zoonotic disease' through 'forites' due to human handling of bird culling process.and closeness to birds.
So, intensify the following two hygiene.
Respiratory hygiene
Personal and place-specific hygiene
The same precautions as against COVID-19 are recommended with greater intensity and adherence:
Here are WHO issued mask precautions: "Clean your hands before you put your mask on, as well as before and after you take it off, and after you touch it at any time. Make sure it covers both your nose, mouth and chin. When you take off a mask, store it in a clean plastic bag, and every day either wash it if it’s a fabric mask, or dispose of a medical mask in a trash bin. Don’t use masks with valves."
It is recommended that at home one must keep windows open along with wearing mask so as to "increase the amount of ‘natural ventilation’ when indoors".
The WHO advisory to make your environment safer goes as follows,"Avoid the 3Cs: spaces that are closed, crowded or involve close contact. Outbreaks have been reported in restaurants, choir practices, fitness classes, nightclubs, offices and places of worship where people have gathered, often in crowded indoor settings where they talk loudly, shout, breathe heavily or sing."
Maintain good hygiene by regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water. "By following good ‘respiratory hygiene’, you protect the people around you from viruses, which cause colds, flu and COVID-19. Clean and disinfect surfaces frequently especially those which are regularly touched, such as door handles, faucets and phone screens," advises WHO.
According to doctors, the symptoms of avian Influenza-A virus infections could be conjunctivitis, fever, cough, sore throat, and muscle aches. However, at times, the symptoms of nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, and respiratory problems could manifest.
BE EXTRA CAREFUL AND PROTECT YOURSELF!
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