Karnataka ramps up border surveillance of poultry trucks as bird flu hits neighbouring states
Bengaluru: Karnataka has ramped up its border surveillance and monitoring efforts following an avian (bird) flu outbreak in Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra. The state’s Animal Husbandry Department has reportedly increased checks on poultry trucks entering from these states, with particular focus on the districts of Bidar, Kalaburagi, and Belagavi.
A senior official told Deccan Herald that although zero cases have been reported in Karnataka, every poultry truck crossing the state’s borders is thoroughly inspected, and officials are closely monitoring poultry farms for any signs of bird deaths. "We are also watching water bodies that see many migratory birds for any risks of infections or deaths," the official added.
Ansar Ahmed, the project director for the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme, reassured the public that no bird flu cases have been detected in Karnataka. He emphasised the importance of basic hygiene practices, urging the public to wear gloves, shoes, and masks when handling animals or raw meat, wash hands frequently, consume only properly cooked meat, avoid mixing raw and cooked meat, and steer clear of contact with suspected infected animals. He also advised getting the seasonal flu vaccine for added protection.
While some local chicken sellers have reported a decline in sales, the Karnataka Poultry Farmers and Breeders’ Association noted that there has been no drop in statewide demand or supply, the report mentioned.
Harsh Gupta, Principal Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Department, told DH that there is "absolutely no cause for concern". He stated that officers are continuously monitoring poultry farms, and there is a standard protocol to isolate poultry if there is any death reported in any of them.
“We have more than sufficient stocks of the treatment — an anti-viral tablet — in our state medical supplies corporation godowns,” he added.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Screenwriter Salim Khan on ventilator support and stable, say doctors
Mumbai (PTI): Veteran screenwriter Salim Khan suffered a brain haemorrhage which has been tackled, is on ventilator support as a safeguard and stable, doctors treating him said on Wednesday, a day after he was admitted to the Lilavati Hospital here.
The 90-year-old, one half of the celebrated Salim-Javed duo which scripted films such as "Sholay", "Deewar" and "Don" with Javed Akhtar, is in the ICU and recovery might take some time given his age.
"His blood pressure was high for which we treated him and we had to put him on a ventilator because we wanted to do certain investigations. Now the ventilator was put as a safeguard so that his situation doesn't get worse. So it is not that he is critical," Dr Jalil Parkar told reporters.
"We did the investigations that were required and today we have done a small procedure on him, I will not go into the details. The procedure done is called DSA (digital subtraction angiography). The procedure has been accomplished, he is fine and stable and shifted back to ICU. By tomorrow, we hope to get him off the ventilator. All in all, he is doing quite well," he added.
Asked whether he suffered a brain haemorrhage, the doctor said, "Unko thoda haemorrhage hua tha, which we’ve tackled. No surgery is required.
As concern over Khan's health mounted, his children, including superstar Salman Khan and Arbaaz Khan, daughter Alvira, and sons-in-law Atul Agnihotri and Aayush Sharma, have been seen outside the hospital along with other well-wishers. His long-time partner Akhtar was also seen coming out of the hospital.
Khan, a household name in the 70s and 80s, turned 90 on November 24 last year. It was the day Dharmendra, the star of many of his films, including "Sholay", "Seeta aur Geeta" and "Yaadon Ki Baraat", passed away.
Hailing from an affluent family in Indore, Khan arrived in Mumbai in his 20s with dreams of stardom. He was good looking and confident he would make a mark in the industry as an actor. But that did not happen. And then, after struggling for close to a decade and getting confined to small roles in films, he changed lanes.
He worked as an assistant to Abrar Alvi and soon met Akhtar to form one of Hindi cinema's most formidable writing partnerships. They worked together on two dozen movies with most of them achieving blockbuster status.
Other than "Sholay", "Deewar" and "Don", Khan and Akhtar also penned "Trishul", "Zanjeer", "Seeta Aur Geeta", "Haathi Mere Saathi", "Yaadon Ki Baarat" and "Mr India".
