Other than Uttar Pradesh, six other states where bird flu has been confirmed till now are Kerala, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana and Gujarat.
The central government has intensified its coordination with local authorities to contain the spread of the disease as more states confirmed cases of avian flu and many are still probing the unexplained deaths of wild birds, crows, and poultry. Seeking increased monitoring of potential hot spots for the diseases spread, the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying has asked for constant communication.
Other than Uttar Pradesh, six other states where bird flu has been confirmed till now are Kerala, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana and Gujarat.
Banning the import of live birds, the Delhi government has closed the city’s biggest poultry market in Ghazipur for 10 days. Samples have been sent to Jalandhar laboratory for testing. A 24-hour helpline has also been set up for citizens with queries. Rapid response teams have been formed in every Delhi district, with Veterinary officers surveying bird markets, wildlife establishments, and water bodies.
At a district park in south Delhi’s Jasola, at least 24 crows have been found dead in last three days and 10 ducks have died at the famous Sanjay Lake. Along with three recreational parks, the lake has been closed.
In view of the outbreak affecting birds in neighbouring states, Punjab has been declared a “controlled area”. A complete ban has also been imposed on the import of live birds including poultry and unprocessed poultry meat into the state till January 15.
With around 1,100 crows and other wild birds found dead across 27 districts, Bird flu has been confirmed in 13 districts of Madhya Pradesh. In Agar Malwa district, poultry market has been shut for a week after the virus was detected in one sample there.
Several chicken and wild birds reportedly died under mysterious circumstances in the intervening night of January 8 and 9 in Chhattisgarh’s Balod district, pushing the state government to form a rapid response team to probe the incident and samples have been sent to a laboratory.
At a poultry farm in Maharashtra’s Parbhani district, at least 900 chickens have died and a probe has been launched. Samples of some dead crows from Mumbai, Thane, Dhapoli, and Beed districts, too, have been sent to the National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases for testing.
The process of culling birds has been completed in Kerala’s two districts, with state government issuing guidelines for post-operational surveillance. A central team has arrived in the state to keep an eye on developments.
The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying has asked states to ensure the availability of PPE kits and accessories to be used to cull birds and dispose of carcases and bird waste.
With the central government also directing the states to tackle rumours that influence poultry product consumers, it is expected from them to increase awareness about their safety, especially after the products are boiled or cooked.
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