Action plan, guidelines and standard operating procedures for containment of avian influenza outbreak in birds and for managing human cases were prepared and made available to the States.
Government of India procured the drug Oseltamivir and personnel protection equipment and provided them to the States affected by avian influenza.
This drug was used for preventing infection among the poultry workers, cullers and those exposed to infected birds. For managing potential human cases, ventilators were procured and provided to affected states during 2007-2009.
Department of Animal Husbandry trained their personnel in preparedness, control and containment of avian influenza.
Ministry of Health trained public health personnel and clinicians from all the States in management of avian influenza. 12 laboratories under Integrated Disease Surveillance Project (IDSP) were strengthened, provided equipment and reagents to diagnose human cases of avian influenza.
National Institute of Virology, Pune under Indian Council of Medical Research tested both human and animal samples. Department of Animal Husbandry also established 4 biosafety level laboratories at Jalandhar, Kolkata, Bangalore and Barielly in addition to High Security Animal Disease laboratory at Bhopal.
Awareness was created among general public through information, education and communication campaigns through print and visual media.
For other priority zoonotic diseases joint workshops were held with veterinary sector in the year November, 2011 and February 2014. Fourteen States participated in the training workshop. National guidelines on Rabies prophylaxis have been formulated.
No vaccine has been developed against avian influenza / bird flu for human use. Cell Culture Anti Rabies Vaccine are produced and used in the country. Vaccine against Japanese Encephalitis (JE) has been procured. Indian Council of Medical Research has also developed an indigenous JE vaccine.
This was stated by Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare in a written reply to the Lok Sabha today.
