The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Move for bird flu drug research

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Tuesday, Feb 19, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Move for bird flu drug research

Special Correspondent

“No instance of bird flu in Tamil Nadu”

“Consuming chicken or eggs
will not cause problems”

TAMBARAM: The National Institute of Siddha will tie up with six other institutions in an attempt to make drugs to be administered to chicken affected by bird flu, said C. N. Deivanayagam, Chairman, Scientific Advisory Committee of the Institute, recently.

Briefing reporters at NIS in Tambaram Sanatorium at the end of a day-long ‘Brain Storming Session on Bird Flu,’ he made it clear that there was no instance of bird flu in Tamil Nadu and that consuming chicken or eggs would not cause problems.

The day-long session, that was divided into three sections — Microbiology, Virology and Clinical Parameters in Avian Flu (Siddha perspective) — saw participants from diverse fields, which included medical practitioners, researchers and academics. The objective was to explore how the Siddha system of medicine could contribute to combating bird flu.

And as the knowledge of this traditional Indian medicine had to be backed up by sophisticated research, it was proposed to tie up with educational and research institutions, Dr. Deivanayagam said, adding the NIS would join hands with University of Madras, Anna University, Dr. M.G.R.Medical University, King Institute, Madras Medical College and Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University.

Speaking at the valedictory function, D.Viswanathan, Vice-Chancellor, Anna University, said the institution would wholeheartedly support the project to prevent the outbreak of any pandemic in Tamil Nadu or any part of India.

Stating that levels of awareness about Siddha system of medicine were low among the people, Mr. Viswanathan called for reversing this trend.

S.Boopathiraj, Director, NIS, also spoke.

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