Action Plan for Prevention, Control & Containment of Avian Influenza

Background

In view of the threat of global outbreaks of Avian Influenza and apprehensions of a human pandemic, Government of India had prepared an action plan in 2005 to deal with eventuality, if any, and circulated it to the States in November, 2005. This proved very useful to contain and control the first outbreak of Avian Influenza in Maharashtra, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. Since then, several outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza have been reported from different parts of the country.

Based on the subsequent outbreaks in the poultry, the action plan was revised in 2006, 2012 and 2015 for guidance of State Government for prevention, control and containment of Avian Influenza in the Country. The current Action Plan has been updated during 2021 based on the experience gained and lessons learnt from the outbreaks in wild birds in zoological parks and poultry in various parts of the country and the latest scientific information.

Objectives  

• Early detection of clinical disease and infection
• Assess temporal and spatial patterns of the disease to improve effectiveness of control efforts
• Demonstrate country freedom from the disease 

Overview of the Action plan

The document on Action Plan is comprised of seven chapters:

1. Chapter 1: It advises the States on pre-outbreak preparedness, which includes:
   • General Preparedness- Assessment of logistics, training/ capacity-building of the key-persons, who are likely to be involved in the operations needs to be done well in advance before the outbreak is confirmed.
   • Surveillance –All the States/UTs would follow the surveillance plan devised by the Government of India. Surveillance (Active and Targeted) therefore, includes both migratory birds and poultry with special emphasis on ducks, live bird markets, international borders and wetlands. Clinical, virological and sero-surveillance are equally important. The samples need to collected, packed and shipped scientifically.
   • Obtaining results of Diagnostic Tests- The ICAR - National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD), Bhopal would also send a copy of the test report to the Chief Secretary of the state concerned, if the samples are found positive for Avian Influenza.
   • Co-ordination among various stakeholders- Control operations require  coordination of activities of several agencies at district level under the supervision of District Collector/Commissioner. The various agencies have to play their role.
   • Availability of Legislative Frame Work- The Government of India has enacted an Act namely ‘’The Prevention and Control of Infectious and Contagious Diseases in Animals Act, 2009’’ which has come into force in all the States/ UTs. The States have been empowered to take necessary action to appropriately deal with disease situations.
   • Stocking and Sourcing of Equipment/ Instruments/ Machinery etc. required for conduct of operation- The States need to maintain reserves of various items like equipments/materials such as PPEs, Disinfectants, Vehicles, Foggers, Spray Machines, JCB, Gunny Bags etc.and determine source of supply in case of an emergency, ensure ability of suppliers to provide equipment/ materials throughout an outbreak as-per-requirements and finalize procedural and financial formalities well in advance.
2. Chapter 2: It contains the actions to be taken if an outbreak of Avian Influenza is suspected, viz: visit of CVO/DAHO to the site immediately on receipt of preliminary information, providing of diagnostic kits for Veterinary Officers/Disease Investigation Officers (DIO), use of PPE, Preliminary and clinical investigation by DIO, collection of samples and dispatch immediately for confirmation, immediate reporting to all concerned, Identification of “Alert- Zone, restrictions to be enforced at the site, and in the Alert-Zone pending receipt of test results and naming a veterinary officer as “Designated Officer”.
3. Chapter 3: It describes the actions to be taken to handle a confirmed outbreak of Notifiable Avian Influenza (NAI):
   • Notification of Outbreak-The State would notify the disease and immediately carry out all control and containment measures after getting the positive report for the samples from NIHSAD, Bhopal.
   • Launch of a Containment Operation- This includes Establishment of a Control Room, Procurement of Logistics (PPEs, Disinfectants, Vehicles, Foggers, Spray Machines, JCB, Gunny Bags etc.), Deployment of RRTs, Health Check-ups, Anti- viral drugs etc.
   • Demarcation of Surveillance & Infected Areas and Actions to be Taken – The area within one km from the site of confirmed AI will be designated as “Infected Zone”. Rest of the area within 10 km is the “Surveillance Zone”. The State government, in consultation with the Government of India may change the radii of the infected zone by one more km each, maximum up to 3 km., if the foci of infection / mortality are scattered over a larger area. In such a case, the culling zone will be extended to one km radius from the new site of infection without notifying the disease again. Further/more occurrence of AI, if any, beyond 3 km. radius of this limit will require to be notified as a fresh/new outbreak.
   • Absolute Ban on Movement of Poultry: Absolute ban on movement of poultry, closure of poultry and egg markets/ shops, restrict access to wild and stray-birds, restriction of movement of persons & vehicles, destruction/culling of birds in the infected zone, disposal of dead birds, destruction of infected materials, cleaning and disinfection of farm premises and farm implements (commercial and backyard Poultry), implementation of the Post Operation Surveillance Plan (POSP), declaration of freedom status and repopulation of birds in the infected zone etc.
   • Compensation for Culling –The farmers are compensated for the loss of birds culled at the fixed rates.
   • Re-stocking of birds in culling zone: will be done after three months of issue of sanitization certificate of an outbreak on completion of POSP.
4. Chapter 4: It is regarding biosecurity measures and advice to the persons handling AI infected poultry. This includes: exchange of information with industry/farmers, media briefing by the official spokesperson, advice to public on handling, processing and consuming poultry product, biosecurity measures and advice about contact with poultry in an area with AI.
5. Chapter 5: This chapter is on Information, Education and Communication campaign on Avian influenza and the advisories on biosecurity and hygiene.
6. Chapter 6: This chapter is regarding guidelines for zoological parks
7. Chapter 7: This chapter is regarding guidelines for establishment of avian influenza free compartment in the country. 

The Action Plan is duly supported by advisories, annexures, proforma, links to international websites and the check lists. 

To access the complete action plan, click here.

Source : Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries (DAHD), Government of India