The entire tribal-dominated district has been on high alert since February 10. The meat, chicken, and egg markets are closed and people are advised to visit government hospitals if they have any flu-like symptoms. This is the first time in India that domestic cats have been detected with bird flu. Although avian influenza usually does not infect humans, in rare cases, illnesses in humans fromAvian influenza virus infections have ranged in severity from no symptoms or mild illness to severe disease that resulted in death. The district administration has implemented precautionary measures, including a 21-day prohibition on the sale and purchase of mutton, chicken and eggs. Meat and poultry shops in the affected areas have also been sealed. The virus might have been transmitted from chicken to these cats fed by their caretakers, a senior government officer said adding, “So far only local market of chicken and meat has been declared closed for 21 days.” “All results came back negative. Nevertheless, health officials remain vigilant, with ongoing surveillance in the area in a radius of 10 km,” Dr HGS Pakshwar, the deputy director of animal husbandry department Chhindwara, told IANS over the telephone.
