Bird Flu: Avian Influenza means avian influenza has spread in 7 states of the country. On Sunday, the government confirmed that it has reached Kerala, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh. The results of the investigation of samples taken in Delhi and Maharashtra are yet to come. The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairy said in a statement that none of the samples of wild birds in Balod district of Chhattisgarh have been confirmed to be positive.
Following confirmation of avian influenza positive in samples taken from two poultry (poultry farms) in Panchkula district, Haryana, the state government has deployed 9 rapid response teams and a control and disposal operation is being conducted at both the locations. . Avian influenza (H5) has been confirmed in specimens of crows and other wild birds in Surat district of Gujarat and Sirohi district of Rajasthan. Apart from this, an unusual death of 86 crows and 2 ergates (herons) was reported from Kangra district (Himachal Pradesh). News of the unusual death of wild birds has also been received from Nahan, Bilaspur and Mandi (Himachal Pradesh) and their samples have been sent to the designated laboratory for testing.
The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying has issued advisories to the affected states to prevent further spread of the disease. So far seven states – Kerala, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh – have confirmed the disease. The test report of samples sent to authorized laboratories from Delhi, Maharashtra is still awaited.
Central parties visiting affected sites
Control and disposal work has been completed in both the affected districts of Kerala state and guidelines related to the Post Operational Surveillance Program have been issued in Kerala. Central parties formed to monitor the situation in the affected areas of the country are visiting the affected sites. One of the central teams reached Kerala on 9 January 2021 and this team is currently monitoring all these places and scientific investigation related to the epidemic is being done. Another central party reached Himachal Pradesh on 10 January 2021 and carried out survey work in the affected areas.
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Spread awareness among people
The central government has also requested the states to create awareness about the flu among the public and to avoid the dissemination of false information about avian influenza. States and Union Territories have been asked to increase surveillance around water sources, live bird markets, zoos and poultry farms etc., measures should be taken for proper disposal of dead bodies and to strengthen bio-security in poultry farming centers.
