Jharkhand on alert as bird flu cases reported in state-run poultry farm: Officials
Ranchi (PTI): The Jharkhand government has been on alert after bird flu cases have been reported in a state-run poultry farm in Bokaro district, officials said.
The presence of H5N1, a type of avian influenza A virus that causes disease in birds, was confirmed among a protein-rich breed of chicken, popularly known as 'Kadaknath', at the farm in Lohanchal, they said.
"Kadaknath chickens died due to bird flu in a government poultry farm located in Lohanchal, as per report received from the laboratory...Areas within one km radius have been declared as affected zone and areas within 10 km radius declared as surveillance zone.
"Sale of chicken/duck will be banned in these areas," an official statement issued by Bokaro district administration said on Tuesday.
Additional Chief Secretary, Health, Arun Kumar Singh told PTI that the state was "on alert".
According to Bokaro Deputy Commissioner Kuldeep Chowdhary, a medical team has been constituted to keep a vigil on the border areas of the district and sampling of chickens/ducks from large poultry farms.
Besides, the medical team has been asked to collect samples of people living in the infected zone, while a separate ward has been set up at Sadar Hospital for the treatment of anyone infected with bird flu.
The administration has urged people to refrain from eating chicken/duck for a few days.
Symptoms of the infection in humans include severe upper back pain, fever, cough, shortness of breath, cold and blood in the sputum, the statement said.
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Minister Parameshwara says remarks on properties linked to drug peddlers 'misunderstood'
Tumakuru (PTI): Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Saturday said his recent remarks on the demolition of properties linked to those involved in narcotics trade were "misunderstood and misinterpreted".
His clarification follows remarks made two days ago on the government's uncompromising crackdown on the drug menace, including action against properties linked to foreign nationals allegedly involved in drug trafficking.
"It is unfortunate. It is taken in the wrong sense. I didn't mean that tomorrow itself I am going to send bulldozers and demolish the houses. That was not my intention. It was wrongly taken," he told reporters here.
Responding to Congress MLC K Abdul Jabbar's question in the legislative council on the growing drug menace in Bengaluru, Davangere and coastal districts, the minister on Thursday detailed the extensive enforcement measures initiated since the Congress government assumed office.
Pointing to the involvement of some foreign nationals, the minister had said, "Many foreign students from African countries have come to Karnataka. They are into the drug business. We catch them and register cases against them, but they want the case to be registered because once the case is registered, we cannot deport them."
"We have gone to the extent of demolishing the rented building where they stay," he had said.
