Imphal, July 27: In continuation of its campaign to contain further spread of Avian Influenza, United People's Front (UPF) facilitated an open discussion session on the issue at Manipur Press Club here today.

The discussion session proceeded with editor of Freedom RK Ranendrajit and editor of Ereibak Irengbam Arun as moderators.

Superintendent of RIMS Dr Y Mohen, SDPO Imphal West AK Jhalajit, Dr P Rajen of Veterinary Department, UPF president Mangi and social worker Joy Chingakham were among the resource persons who spoke at the occasion.

Dr Mohen explained that although the outbreak of Bird flu among the domesticated birds has been confirmed in Manipur, at present there is no report of the spread of the dreaded disease to human being.

To meet the exigency of spread the disease to human, RIMS has made necessary arrangement and kept reserved a 12-bedded isolation ward apart from a team of doctors who would be assigning with the task of imparting the required training of looking after such patients to the doctors and the nurses of the medical institute.

SDPO Jhalajit said police have been receiving reports of transportation of domesticated fowls despite the restriction to other districts and far off places.

In order to stop this, police have been alerted and detaining such persons.

Along with joint operation and support setting up check posts at various places by the State Veterinary Department would be helpful in checking such unauthorised movements, he observed.

Veterinary doctor P Rajen maintained that following the report of outbreak of Bird flu in many South East Asian countries in 2006, awareness programmes are being organised in Manipur to sensitise the people.

Even if the blood samples collected from different parts of the State earlier tested negative, after the confirmation of the outbreak of the disease in Manipur from the samples collected from a poultry farm this time, necessary preventive measures have been taken up, he said, while appealing to the people for co-operation in preventing further spread of Bird flu.