Bird Flu Confirmed in Six States, Gujarat Latest Addition in the List

NEW DELHI, Jan 8: The central government has confirmed the prevalence of Bird flu in six states in the country so far, Kerala, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana and Gujarat.

The Centre on Friday asked these states to contain the disease. States unaffected by Avian Influenza (AI) have been asked to keep a vigil on any unusual mortality among birds and to report immediately so that necessary measures are taken in the fastest possible time, it added.

 “So far, the disease has been confirmed from six states. It is learnt that culling operations have been completed in both the affected districts of Kerala. The disinfection process is underway,” the government in a statement said.

The death of 16 birds has also been reported at DDA Park in Delhi’s Hastsal village and their samples have been sent to a testing lab.

Central teams have been deployed to visit Kerala, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh. The government said there had been confirmation of Avian Influenza positive samples from ICAR-NIHSAD in poultry in two farms in Haryana’s Panchkula district. Positive samples have also been reported in migratory birds in Junagadh district of Gujarat and in crows in Sawai Madhopur, Pali, Jaisalmer and Mohar districts of Rajasthan.

 “Unusual mortality of 16 birds has also been reported in DDA park Hastsal Village, Delhi. The AH (animal husbandry) Department of NCT of Delhi has reportedly taken precautionary measures and sent samples to ICAR-NIHSAD and a test report is awaited,” the statement said.

(Manas Dasgupta)