Instructions already issued to all Civil Surgeons in wake of fowl flu, Says Principal Secretary Health Hussan Lal
CHANDIGARH: In view of the necessity to enhance surveillance for Avian Influenza (Bird Flu), the Punjab Government has restored the Regional Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (RDDL), Jalandhar of Animal Husbandry Department for the testing of such suspicious instances which was earlier getting used for COVID-19 Testing.
Giving particulars right here on Sunday, Health & Family Welfare Minister Balbir Singh Sidhu mentioned that to maximise testing for fowl flu, COVID-19 testing has briefly been suspended at RDDL as greater than sufficient COVID testing capability is offered at distance of 1 hour.
He mentioned that RDDL will revert to testing for COVID-19 as soon as fowl flu risk is over. He additionally clarified that there’s not even a single pattern pending for testing in backlog at RDDL.
Principal Secretary Health & Family Welfare Hussan Lal mentioned that that in wake of fowl flu, directions have already been issued to all Civil Surgeons on this regard. He mentioned that they have been directed to coordinate on common foundation with the Department of Animal Husbandry of their respective districts for any uncommon dying of poultry birds/migratory birds and so forth. and to make sure common surveillance of wetlands, if any, within the space is being accomplished. If any suspected human case is reported, the epidemiological surveillance to hint extra instances ought to be carried out within the affected space.
Divulging about checks being carried out in numerous labs he mentioned that COVID-19 testing capability at Government Medical Colleges Amritsar, Faridkot and Patiala is 7000 every (Total 21000). Testing capability of GADVASU, PBTI and FSL is 1600, 1500 and 1000 respectively. In addition, there are a number of non-public labs offering COVID-19 testing companies within the State. At current, testing capability of State is 25,000 to 30,000 per day.
Hussan Lal additional mentioned that presently, complete COVID-19 testing capability is above 26,600 that’s greater than enough. Faridkot has greater than required testing capability for COVID-19 and there aren’t any backlogs. All labs, together with RDDL and Faridkot, present take a look at leads to 24 hours. Moreover, earlier than RDDL grew to become practical for COVID-19 testing, samples from Jalandhar was once despatched to Faridkot Lab.
Notably, the Punjab Government has declared the entire state as a ‘Controlled Area’ as a result of outbreak of Avian fowl flu and imposed full ban on import of reside birds together with Poultry and unprocessed Poultry meat for any objective into the state of Punjab with quick impact until fifteenth January, 2021.
