Lawyer urges HC to take cognisance of HMPV, direct govt to take immediate measures
Nagpur (PTI): A lawyer on Tuesday moved the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court, urging it to take cognisance of concerns over Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) and direct the Maharashtra government to take proactive measures.
Advocate Shreerang Bhandarkar, in his plea, said the high court had in 2020 taken suo motu (on its own) cognisance of the COVID-19 pandemic, and a similar action is now required amid the growing global and regional concerns surrounding the HMPV.
The high court is likely to hear the application on January 10.
Bhandarkar had appeared as amicus curiae (appointed by the court for assistance) in the COVID-19 plea.
In August 2020, the Nagpur bench had taken suo motu cognisance of the pandemic and had passed a slew of directions to the state government.
"The recent increase in reported cases of HMPV underscores the need for vigilance, preparedness and proactive public health measures," the application stated.
It urged the high court to direct the state health department to intensify HMPV surveillance, testing and reporting and to establish a task force on emerging respiratory viruses.
The plea also sought the court to direct the government to launch public health awareness campaigns focusing on HMPV symptoms, transmission and prevention.
There are currently five confirmed cases of HMPV in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat.
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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.
