New Delhi (NVI): The Central Government today asked the states to maintain sufficient stock of PPE kits and accessories required for culling operations in the wake of bird flu that has been confirmed in 10 states so far.
According to the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Delhi, Maharashtra, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana and Gujarat have confirmed the outbreak of bird flu.
In a statement on the status of bird flu in the country, the Ministry said that till January 12, additional cases of Avian Influenza (H5N8) has been confirmed among dead crows in HCL-Khetri Nagar in Jhunjhunu district of Rajasthan.
Further case of Avian Influenza (H5N1) has been confirmed in dead crows and pelican in zoological park, Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh and in dead crows in Jagnoli and Fatehpur village in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh, it said.
Also, confirmation of Avian Influenza (H5N1) in poultry sample from Jhabua district of Madhya Pradesh has been received today from NIHSAD (National Institute of High security Animal Diseases-Bhopal).
The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying has also issued advisory on testing protocol to states, encouraging them to undertake screening at state level ensuring suitable bio secure facilities. After the confirmation of spread of Avian Influenza in Maharashtra through samples of dead birds, a central team has been deputed to visit Maharashtra and Gujarat to monitor the epicentres of AI outbreak in those states, the Ministry said.
Apart from that, constant efforts to generate awareness about Avian Influenza and how to deal with the situation is being shared among the general public through various media platforms including social media platforms like Twitter, the Ministry said.
-RJV/ARK
