State Sends Second Team to Malda After WHO Bird Flu Alert

State Sends Second Team to Malda After WHO Bird Flu Alert

Keywords: Bird flu, Malda, WHO, Health department

After the World Health Organization (WHO) issued an alert about the H5N1 avian influenza virus circulating in Malda, West Bengal, the state government has dispatched a second team to the affected area.

The team, consisting of veterinary and medical experts, will assist the existing team in containing the outbreak and preventing it from spreading further. The state has also intensified surveillance and monitoring efforts in Malda and neighboring districts.

“The situation is under control, but we are not taking any chances,” said the state health minister. “We have sent a second team to Malda to ensure that all necessary measures are being taken to contain the outbreak.”

The WHO has advised health authorities to remain vigilant and to implement strict measures to prevent the spread of the virus. The virus, which affects both poultry and humans, can cause severe respiratory illness in humans.

The state government has appealed to the public to report any suspected cases of bird flu to the veterinary authorities immediately. Poultry farms in the affected area have been quarantined, and the sale and movement of poultry products have been restricted.

The first case of bird flu in Malda was confirmed on January 15, 2021. Since then, over 10,000 birds have died due to the infection. The state government has culled over 100,000 birds in an attempt to contain the outbreak.