No suspected cases of coronavirus in Dakshina Kannada so far, DK DHO says ‘high alert’ precautionary
Mangaluru: Dr. Ramakrishna Rao, Dakshina Kannada District Health and Family Welfare Officer on Monday informed that there were no reported cases of coronavirus in the District so far and added that the health department was closely monitoring the situation regarding the deadly outbreak of the virus.
Earlier in the day, the government of Karnataka had issued a media bulletin putting four border Districts of the state – Dakshina Kannada, Kodagu, Mysore and Chamrajnagar -- on high alert as Kerala reported third positive case of coronavirus in the country.
Speaking to Vartha Bharati over phone call, Dr. Rao added that there were no reported or suspected cases of coronavirus in the District. He further added that the District Health Department was in constant touch with hospitals in the District and was closely monitoring the situation.
“The alert is precautionary. No cases have been reported so far. We are monitoring the situation, the department is in regular touch with hospitals. We have issued alert at the Mangaluru International Airport as well and are working towards creating greater awareness regarding the virus” Dr. Rao told Vartha Bharati.
In the media bulletin from the state government, it had stated “As there are two positive cases in Kerala the border Districts of Mangaluru, Kodagu, Chamrajnagar and Mysore are on high alert and any suspected are advised to report immediately to SSU Karnataka”.
The advisory further urged people to adhere to health advisories issued by the state government, while also adding that those who have arrived from the corona affected countries should remain under strict home isolation for 28 days from the date of arrival in India irrespective of whether they are symptomatic or asymptomatic.
The state has so far sent 44 samples to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) Pune for testing, out of which results of 29 samples came as negative, the media bulletin added.
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Karnataka govt directs municipal corps to regulate, prohibit pigeon feeding
Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka government has issued directions to municipal corporations across the state to regulate and prohibit feeding pigeons in public places, citing serious public health concerns.
Deputy Secretary to Government V Lakshmikanth has written to the Urban Development Department requesting it to issue directions to the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) and all municipal corporations to take immediate steps to implement the measures.
In an official note dated December 16 issued by the Health and Family Welfare Department and released to the media on Wednesday, the department said uncontrolled feeding of pigeons in public places has resulted in large congregations of birds, excessive droppings and serious health concerns, particularly respiratory illnesses linked to prolonged exposure to pigeon droppings and feathers such as hypersensitivity pneumonitis and other lung diseases.
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"The commissioner, the Greater Bengaluru Authority and the Commissioners and chief officers of other municipal corporations shall take necessary action to mitigate the causes of dangerous disease spread by pigeon and enforce specified guidelines in their respective jurisdiction," the note said.
According to the department, these include a prohibition on feeding pigeons or causing pigeons to be fed in areas where it may cause nuisance or pose a health hazard to the public. Pigeon feeding shall be permitted only in designated areas in a controlled manner, subject to certain conditions.
"The designated areas may be selected in consultation with stakeholders. The responsibility for upkeep of the designated areas and compliance to the directions shall be taken up by some charitable organisation or an NGO. The feeding in designated areas shall be permitted only for some limited hours in the day," it said.
The note further stated that authorised officers of local authorities shall issue on-the-spot warnings and may impose fines for violation of the order, or lodge complaints to prosecute offenders under Sections 271 (Negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) and 272 (Malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
It also directed local authorities to conduct public awareness campaigns, including the display of signboards, banners and digital messages, explaining the health hazards associated with pigeon droppings and feathers, the content of the regulatory directions and penalties for violations, and alternative humane methods of bird conservation that do not endanger public health.
