Health department completes 10-day H5N1 surveillance in Bengaluru's Hesarghatta, confirms no human cases

Bengaluru: The health department has completed a ten-day intensive surveillance and containment operation following the detection of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A (H5N1) at the State Poultry Rearing Training Centre in Hesaraghatta on April 14.

According to the officials from the health department, once the outbreak was confirmed, State and District Rapid Response Teams along with Hesaraghatta and Sonnenahalli PHC teams were immediately deployed. An infected zone of 0–3 km and a surveillance zone of 3–10 km radius was established.

“The Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services culled all the birds and safely disposed of eggs adhering to national and international biosecurity protocols,” a statement by the health department said.

That apart 28,172 people across 22 surrounding villages was surveyed from day 1 to day 10.

“Multiple rounds of surveillance were conducted and sanitation activities were completed as per protocol. During the surveillance period, nasopharyngeal samples collected from all quarantined staff on Day 5, sent to NIV-Bengaluru, were found to be negative for H5N1. On day 10 nasopharyngeal samples have been collected and the results are awaited,” senior officials from the department said.

However, officials confirmed that no human case of H5N1 infection has been detected in the infected or surveillance zones.

The health department has directed all healthcare facilities in Bengaluru to continue ILI/SARI case surveillance, and ensure adequate stocks of PPE, triple-layer medical masks, oseltamivir, viral transport medium, and throat swab kits.

According to the protocol, no poultry activity will be undertaken at the farm for a period of 90 days as a precautionary measure. During the 3 months of surveillance, the entire area of the farm will be repeatedly disinfected by fumigation (Indoors) or sprays (open place) every 15 days.