To prevent swine flu, checks on piggeries

NOIDA: As monsoon approaches, the health department of Gautam Budh Nagar has increased its focus on animal care and hygiene to check the spread of communicable diseases that are common during the season.
Officials are checking on sanitation related to pigs, hens and even rats. Piggeries across the city are being cleaned and an awareness drive is being conducted to maintain hygiene and keep the pigs away from human habitation. There are over 150 piggeries in the district, mostly around Jewar and Dankaur.
“We have been discussing with the owners on how to maintain sanitation. They should immediately inform us and start treatment of any animal found sick. We have asked the owners to keep the piggeries away from human habitation, towards the outer periphery of the villages,” said Dr Laxman Singh, veterinary officer of the district.
Doctors said that during awareness drives, the focus usually is on communicable diseases that are air or water-borne. This year, the department is increasingly focusing on vector-borne diseases, caused by exposure to certain animals.
“Piggeries are being checked to prevent any infection related to Japanese encephalitis or swine flu,” said Rajesh Sharma, district malaria officer and the nodal officer for checking communicable diseases.
The agriculture department is also informing farmers about how to keep rodents away, especially rats.