Speed Post News Network
New Delhi : After confirmation of Avian Influenza positive samples from ICAR-NIHSAD in poultry (two poultry farms) in Panchkula district, Haryana, positive cases of Avian Influenza in migratory birds were reported in Shivpuri, Rajgarh, Shajapur, Agar, and Vidisha district of Madhya Pradesh, Zoological Park, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, and Pratapgarh and Dausa districts of Rajasthan.
The Animal Husbaandry Department has issued advisory to the affected States to enable them to prevent further spread of disease. So far, the disease has been confirmed from seven states (Kerala, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Gujarat, and Uttar Pradesh).
Reports of unusual mortality of birds have been received from State of Chhattisgarh in the night of January 8, 2021 and January 9, 2021, morning, in a poultry, and wild birds in Balod district, Chhattisgarh. The State has constituted RRT teams 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. Samples of dead crows have also been sent to NIHSADÂ from Mumbai, Thane, Dapoli, Parbhani, and Beed districts of Maharashtra for confirmation of AI, according to a PIB release.
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 of Kerala. 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 to the Chief Secretaries /Administrators of the States/UTs, Secretary DAHD has requested State Animal Husbandry departments to ensure effective communication and coordination with Health authorities for close vigilance of the disease status and avoid any chances of jumping of the disease into humans.
Besides increasing surveillance around water bodies, live bird markets, zoos, poultry farms, etc. 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 were requested to ensure sufficient stock of PPE kits and accessories required for culling operations. Chief Secretaries / Administrators were requested to arrane issue of appropriate advisories to increase awareness regarding safety of poultry or poultry products.