Bird Flu Scare: Know The Situation In 6 Confirmed States As Govt Strengthens Containment Measures

The department of animal husbandry and dairying has suggested the affected states to contain the disease as per the action plan on Avian Influenza.

Bird flu situation in the country continues to spread as six states have reported bird flu incidents so far including Kerala, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, and Gujarat following which the Centre has asked these states to increase their containment measures. Although there has been no human case of Avian Influenza reported so far, the Centre continues to monitor the evolving scenario. Also Read: Bhandara: Ten Infants Killed In Fire At Maharashtra Govt Hospital, 7 Rescued While states unaffected by Avian Influenza (AI) have been asked to keep a vigil on any unusual mortality among birds and to report immediately so that necessary measures are taken in the fastest possible time, the Centre said. “So far, the disease has been confirmed from six states. It is learnt that culling operations have been completed in both the affected districts of Kerala. The disinfection process is underway,” the government said in a statement. Meanwhile, death of 16 birds has also been reported at DDA Park in Delhi’s Hastsal village and their samples have been sent to a testing lab. What has happened so far? 1. The government has deployed multidisciplinary teams to visit Kerala, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh for monitoring and epidemiological investigation. 2.  There has been confirmation of Avian Influenza positive samples from ICAR-NIHSAD in poultry in two farms of in Haryana’s Panchkula district. Positive samples have also been reported in migratory birds in the Junagadh district of Gujarat and in crows in Sawai Madhopur, Pali, Jaisalmer and Mohar districts of Rajasthan. 3. Unusual mortality of 16 birds has also been reported in DDA park Hastsal Village, Delhi. The AH (animal husbandry) Department of NCT of Delhi has reportedly taken precautionary measures and sent samples to ICAR-NIHSAD and a test report is awaited. 4. The department of animal husbandry and dairying has suggested the affected states to contain the disease as per the action plan on Avian Influenza. 5. The government said awareness among poultry farmers and the consumers of eggs and chicken about the disease is of foremost importance. “Communication from the secretary, department of animal husbandry and dairying, has also been sent to the health ministry to restore consumer confidence in consumption of chicken and eggs,” the statement said.

Bird flu situation in affected states and UTs

Rajasthan: Fresh cases of bird deaths were reported in parts of Rajasthan, taking the tally to 2,166. Himachal Pradesh: Almost 3,410 migratory birds have died due to bird flu in Pong Dam area of Kangra district. Haryana: More than 1.60 lakh birds of five poultry farms in Haryana's Panchkula district are set to be culled as some poultry samples there have tested positive for the avian flu. Madhya Pradesh: Nearly 450 chickens were culled in Madhya Pradesh's Indore city and the state government has already ordered the closure of poultry shops in Neemuch and Indore districts for a week after bird flu infection was found in some chickens. Gujarat: Gujarat recorded its first confirmed cases of bird flu infection after samples of two dead birds from the Junagadh district tested positive, an official said. Jammu: Over 150 crows were found dead in three districts of the Jammu region triggering a bird flu scare and samples have been sent for testing to a wildlife lab in Punjab. The bird deaths have been reported from Udhampur, Kathua, and Rajouri districts since Thursday. The administration has imposed a ban on the import of live birds and unprocessed poultry meat till January 14. Kerala: Avian influenza (H5N8) outbreak in Alappuzha and Kottayam districts is under control and no fresh case of bird flu had been reported from anywhere in the State, said KM Dileep, Director of Animal Husbandry.  More than 70,000 birds, mostly ducks, had died/been culled in the two districts due to the outbreak.