New Delhi (NVI): The government today confirmed that the bird flu cases have now been confirmed in seven states – Kerala, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh.
Furthermore, Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), has requested state Animal Husbandry departments to ensure effective communication and coordination with health authorities for close vigilance of the disease status and avoid any chances of jumping of the disease into humans.
Besides increasing surveillance around water bodies, live bird markets, zoos, poultry farms, etc. proper disposal of carcass, and strengthening of bio-security in poultry farms have to be ensured, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Animal Husbandry.
In addition to this, states were also requested to be prepared for any eventuality of Avian lnfluenza and were requested toensure sufficient stock of PPE kits and accessories required for culling operations.
Meanwhile, according to the official statement, reports of unusual mortality of birds have been received from Chhattisgarh in poultry and wild birds in Balod district.
The state has constituted RRT teams for emergency situation and also sent the samples to designated laboratory, the statement added.
Further, reports of unusual mortality in ducks have also been received from Sanjay lake, Delhi. Samples have been sent to the designated laboratory for testing. Samples of dead crows have also been sent to NIHSAD from Mumbai, Thane, Dapoli, Parbhani and Beed districts of Maharashtra for confirmation of Avian Influenza (AI).
In addition to this, culling operations have been completed in both the affected districts of Kerala and Post Operational Surveillance Programme guidelines have been issued in the state.
Central teams deployed to visit the affected states of Kerala, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh for monitoring and for epidemiological investigation have reached Kerala.
-CHK
