Poultry has no takers as bird flu spreads across the country

Bird flu has been confirmed in 10 states of the country. ICAR- NIHSAD has confirmed death of crows and migratory/wild birds in Tonk, Karauli, Bhilwara districts of Rajasthan; and Valsad, Vadodara and Surat districts of Gujarat. Further, death of crows were confirmed in Kotdwar and Dehradun districts of Uttarakhand. In Delhi, crows and ducks, respectively, were reported dead in New Delhi and Sanjay lake areas.

Additionally, outbreak of the disease has been confirmed among poultry in Parbhani district while it has been confirmed in crows in Mumbai, Thane, Dapoli and Beed districts.

In Haryana, culling of infected birds is underway for the control and containment of the spread of the disease. A Central team has visited Himachal Pradesh and will reach Panchkula on 11 January, 2021 for carrying out monitoring the epicentre sites and conducting epidemiological investigation.

States have been requested to build awareness among the public and avoid the spread of misinformation. States/ UTs have been requested to increase surveillance around water bodies, live bird markets, zoos, poultry farms, etc. along with proper disposal of carcass, and strengthening of bio-security in poultry farms. Moreover, they have been asked to maintain adequate stock of PPE kits and accessories required for culling operations. Secretary DAHD 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.

Lakhs of birds, including poultry, ducks, crows and migratory birds have died, while several lakhs of chicken and ducks have been culled by state health authorities in an effort to contain the spread of the disease. 

The central government, along with the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, has increased vigilance for potential hot spots after confirmed cases in six other states – Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Kerala and Gujarat – other than UP.

The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying have directed officials to monitor poultry and bird markets, zoos, waterbodies and other potential hotspots where the disease could spread. It has also said that PPE kits and accessories to cull birds and dispose waste safely must be made available, reported NDTV.