Entry of animal and birds can pose risks: Govt

nNEW DELHI: Entry of animals and birds in a quarantine area can pose a serious risk of infection spread, say the government’s latest guidelines on such facilities where suspected coronavirus disease (Covid-19) patients are housed.

A separate section on the prevention of the deadly infection in the health ministry document released Sunday stresses that animals and birds should be prevented from entering a quarantine area, and security personnel should stop any undesired movement, including those by humans.

“Separate fence needs to be raised around the building to prevent entry of animals, especially dogs, monkeys and even birds if possible. Well-informed and trained security personnel need to be deployed all around the building on 24*7 rotation basis to monitor the facility and to avoid entry of undesired persons or animals and even birds for eating any food remains or droppings inside the area,” read the document. Concerns have been raised over whether Covid-19 can be transmitted between animals and humans; there are reports of a pet cat in Belgium and two dogs in Hong Kong getting infected. Additionally, in quarantine homes, there is a risk that animals could take contaminated stuff, especially food items, outside and spread the infection.

“The guidelines have been drafted as per the best practices followed globally regarding infection control during an outbreak of this nature. As it is an evolving situation, all previously issued guidelines can be modified based on the change in data,” a senior health ministry official said.

A team of experts has done a thorough risk assessment with respect to probability of infection from not just movement of people but also animals and birds in the quarantine area.

It is mandatory to have a special map of the facility prepared to outline the details of movement of health care and other personnel around the quarantine area, according to the government’s guidelines.