By IANS,
Bhubaneswar : The Orissa government has asked its veterinary officials to monitor the health of pigs across the state and remain prepared to handle any untoward situation after swine flu outbreak was reported in many countries, an official said Friday.
“We have asked veterinary officials to monitor the health of pigs,” Bishnupada Sethi, director of the fisheries and animal resource development department, told IANS.
Swine flu has killed 176 people in Mexico and spread to at least 10 other countries. No case of swine flu has been reported in India till now.
“Orissa has over half a million pigs. In the wake of swine flu outbreak in some parts of the world, there is a dire need for emergency preparedness by the veterinary workforce every where to handle any untoward incident as it is pandemic in nature,” he said.
“In this context, we are going to organize a state-level workshop May 9 involving Orissa Veterinary College faculty, experts and district level veterinarians,” Sethi said.
The government will develop training material and prepare leaflets and posters providing basic information on swine flu and how to prevent it, he added.
The district officials have been asked to undertake strict surveillance in their jurisdiction. They have been told to establish links with the pig owners and regularly interact with them to collect information.
The information base on swine population and their owners will be prepared village-wise and kept at district offices. The movement of animals in the border areas will also be monitored, he said.