STATE DISASTER

STATE DISASTER

Subject : Disaster Management

Context : The avian flu outbreak has been classified as a ‘state disaster’ in Kerala after the Centre notified the outbreak of H5N8 subset of Influenza A in the two districts.

Concept :

State Disaster :

• A State Government may use up to 10 percent of the funds available under the SDRF for providing immediate relief to the victims of natural disasters that they consider to be ‘disasters’ within the local context in the State
• It should not be included in the notified list of disasters of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
• is subject to the condition that the State Government has listed the State specific natural disasters and notified clear and transparent norms and guidelines for such disasters with the approval of the State Authority, i.e., the State Executive Authority (SEC).

Influenza A(H5N8) virus:

• Influenza A viruses are classified into subtypes based on two surface proteins, Hemagglutinin (HA) and Neuraminidase (NA).
• H5N8 avian influenza is a disease of birds, caused by Type “A” influenza viruses, which can affect several species of domestic poultry, such as chickens, turkeys, quails, guinea fowl, ducks, as well as pet birds, wild migratory birds and water fowl.
• There are no known cases of H5N8 in human beings. Risk to general public is very low.
• There is also no evidence that consumption of poultry meat or eggs could transmit the virus to humans.
• But necessary precautions are required while handling sick/dead birds and contaminated material during control and containment operations .