PIB Summary- 9th January, 2021 | PIB (Press Information Bureau) Summary - UPSC PDF Download

Status of Avian Influenza in the country

Context: Outbreak of avian influenza in the country. 

Details

• Positive cases of avian influenza have been reported from three more states in the country. 
• Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and Kerala have reported cases of bird flu. Now, positive cases have been reported from districts in Haryana, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh. 
• Reports of unusual mortality in birds have been reported from Chhattisgarh and Delhi. The samples have been sent for testing in the designated laboratories.

Background

• Avian Influenza (AI) viruses have been circulating worldwide for centuries with four known major outbreaks recorded in the last century. 
• India notified the first outbreak of avian influenza in 2006. 
• Infection in humans is not yet reported in India though the disease is zoonotic. 
• There is no direct evidence that AI viruses can be transmitted to humans via the consumption of contaminated poultry products. 
• Implementing management practices that incorporate biosecurity principles, personal hygiene, and cleaning and disinfection protocols, as well as cooking and processing standards, are effective means of controlling the spread of the AI viruses. 
• In India, the disease spreads mainly by migratory birds coming into India during winter months, from September – October to February – March. The secondary spread by human handling (through fomites) cannot be ruled out. 
• In view of a threat of the global outbreak of AI, the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) had prepared an action plan in 2005 which was revised in 2006, 2012, 2015 and 2021 for the guidance of State Governments for the prevention, control and containment of avian influenza. 
• Following the post-operation surveillance plan (POSP) after completion of Avian Influenza outbreak control in 2020 and containment operation at different epicentres, the country was declared free from AI w.e.f. 30th September 2020.

Present Fresh Outbreak

• After confirmation of positive samples from ICAR-NIHSAD, AI has been reported from the following States (at 12 epicentres) – 
  • Rajasthan (crow) – Baran, Kota, Jhalawar 
  • Madhya Pradesh (crow) – Mandsaur, Indore, Malwa 
  • Himachal Pradesh (migratory birds) – Kangra 
  • Kerala (poultry-duck) –  Kottayam, Alappuzha (4 epicentres) 
• The states are taking measures for containment and control including the culling of birds. 
• DAHD has also set up a control room in New Delhi to keep watch on the situation and to take stock on a daily basis of preventive and control measures undertaken by State authorities. 
• Measures suggested to states to control the disease and prevent further spread include: 
  • Strengthening the biosecurity of poultry farms 
  • Disinfection of affected areas 
  • Proper disposal of dead birds/carcasses 
  • Timely collection and submission of samples for confirmation and further surveillance 
  • Intensification of surveillance plan 
  • General guidelines for prevention of disease spread from affected birds to poultry and human 
  • Coordination with forest department for reporting any unusual mortality of birds 
• Other states were also asked to keep a vigil on any unusual mortality among birds.

COVID-19 Vaccination Roll-out

Context: Prime Minister reviews status of COVID-19 and preparedness for COVID-19 vaccination. 

Details

• Vaccination drive will kick off on 16th January 2021. 
• The roll-out of the COVID-19 vaccine will provide priority to the healthcare workers and the frontline workers who are estimated to be around 3 cr, followed by those above 50 years of age and the under-50 population groups with co-morbidities numbering around 27 cr. 
• Vaccination dry runs are being conducted across the country aimed at testing the laid out mechanisms for the vaccination roll-out in the health system and to assess operational feasibility of using Co-WIN application in a field environment for planning, implementation and reporting at the block, district and state level.