Staff Reporters
Cases of Avian Influenza have been confirmed from seven States- Kerala, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh.
The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying has issued advisory to the Avian Influenza affected States so as to avoid further spread of disease. Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying in a statement said that reports of unusual mortality of birds have been received from State of Chhattisgarh in poultry and wild birds in Balod district. The State has constituted Rapid Response Teams, RRT for emergency situation and also sent the samples to designated laboratory.
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. Besides, samples of dead crows have also been sent to NIHSAD from Mumbai, Thane, Dapoli, Parbhani and Beed districts of Maharashtra for confirmation of disease.
Meanwhile culling operations have been completed in both the affected districts of Kerala and Post Operational Surveillance Programme guidelines have been issued to 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.
In a communication, Secretary Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying has requested the State Animal Husbandry departments to ensure effective communication and coordination with Health authorities for close vigilance of the disease status. Besides increasing surveillance around water bodies, live bird markets, zoos, and poultry farms, proper disposal of carcass, and strengthening of bio-security in poultry farms have to be ensured.
States were also requested to be prepared for any eventuality of Avian lnfluenza and to ensure sufficient stock of PPE kits and accessories required for culling operations. State Chief Secretaries and Administrators of Union Territories were requested to arrange to issue appropriate advisories to quell consumer reactions, affected by rumors and increase awareness regarding safety of poultry or poultry products that are safe for consumption following boiling and cooking procedures. The support of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying to the states was also ensured.