Bird Flu Reaches Mumbai: Samples Of Crows Found Dead In Chembur Test Positive; CM Uddhav To Hold Review Meet

In Mumbai’s Chembur area, as many as 9 of the 11 crows who died on Sunday have been confirmed as bird flu deaths. The samples of dead crows were sent for examination on Sunday.

(PTI Photo)(PTI01_09_2021_000174B)

Mumbai Bird Flu: The rapidly spreading bird flu disease, which has gripped several states of India, has now marked its arrival in Maharashtra capital Mumbai. As per test reports from ICAR-NIHSAD, bird flu or the avian influenza has been confirmed in several districts of Maharashtra. Mumbai, Thane, Parbhani, Beed and Dapoli in Ratnagiri district have witnessed mass mortality of birds due to the flu. Animal Husbandry Secretary Anoop Kumar says collectors have been asked to increase vigil on migratory birds. In Mumbai’s Chembur area, as many as 9 of the 11 crows who died on Sunday have been confirmed as bird flu deaths. The samples of dead crows were sent for examination on Sunday. Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray will chair a meeting in the evening to review the situation in Maharashtra arising out of the bird flu outbreak. Though, a directive from the government is awaited regarding the sale of poultry products, the Animal Husbandry Minister Sunil Kedar had said on Friday that there is no ban on sale of poultry products like eggs or chicken as of now. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying on Sunday said that the central teams formed for monitoring the spread of bird flu are visiting the affected sites in seven states across the country. The department has issued advisories to the affected States so as to avoid further spread of disease. So far, the disease has been confirmed in Kerala, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Gujarat, and Uttar Pradesh.