Bengaluru: After completing a 10-day intensive surveillance and containment operation following the detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H5N1) at the state poultry rearing training centre in Mathkuru village, Hesaraghatta, Karnataka health department Saturday confirmed that no human cases of the infection have been detected so far.The outbreak, first identified on April 14, prompted immediate deployment of state and district rapid response teams, along with local primary health centre staff. Authorities established a 0-3km infected zone and a 3-10km surveillance zone, while the animal husbandry department culled all birds and disposed of eggs and contaminated feed in line with biosecurity protocols.As part of the containment strategy, health teams surveyed a population of 28,172 across 22 villages within the 10-km radius. Health department officials said nasopharyngeal samples collected from quarantined staff on day 5 tested negative for H5N1, while samples collected on day 10 are awaiting results. The department has directed all healthcare facilities in Bengaluru to continue monitoring influenza-like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) cases, while ensuring adequate stocks of protective equipment and antiviral medication.Meanwhile, authorities have imposed a 90-day ban on poultry activity at the affected centre as a precaution, with periodic disinfection of the premises planned every 15 days.The public has been advised to avoid handling sick or dead poultry, ensure proper cooking of meat and eggs, and report any unusual bird deaths to authorities, while refraining from spreading unverified information.
