Centre Animal Husbandry department issues advisory to Bird Flu affected States

New Delhi;10/1/21; The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying has issued advisories to the Avian Influenza affected States so as to avoid further spread of disease. So far, the disease has been confirmed from seven States-Kerala, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Gujarat, and Uttar Pradesh. Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying in a statement said that after confirmation of Avian Influenza positive samples in two poultry farms of Panchkula district of Haryana, the State has deployed 9 Rapid Response team and control and containment operation is underway. Samples of crow and wild birds have been confirmed for Avian Influenza (H5) from Surat district of Gujarat and Sirohi district of Rajasthan. Further, reports of unusual deaths of 86 crows and 2 egrets were also received from Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. It said, reports of unusual mortality of wild birds have also been received from Nahan, Bilaspur, and Mandi of Himachal Pradesh and samples have been sent to the designated laboratory for testing. It said test reports of the samples sent to the designated laboratory from Delhi and Maharashtra are still awaited. It said, no samples have been confirmed positive in wild birds from Balod district of Chhattisgarh which were tested earlier. The Ministry said, control and containment have been completed in both the affected districts of Kerala, and Post Operational Surveillance Programme guidelines have been issued to the State of Kerala.

The central teams formed for monitoring the situation in the affected areas of the country are visiting the affected sites. One of the central teams reached Kerala yesterday and is presently monitoring the epicenter sites and conducting an epidemiological investigation. Another central team reached Himachal Pradesh today and is undertaking a survey in the affected areas.

The Ministry said that States have been requested to build awareness among the public and avoid the spread of misinformation regarding Avian Influenza. States and Union Territories have also been asked to increase surveillance around water bodies, live bird markets, zoos and poultry farms, proper disposal of carcass and strengthening of bio-security in poultry farms.