Union Govt. Confirms Avian Influenza Outbreak in Ten States

The Union Government today said that Avian Influenza has been confirmed in 10 states of the country. Ministry of Animal Husbandry and Dairying said ICAR-National Institute of High-Security Animal Diseases has confirmed the death of crows and migratory birds in Tonk, Karauli, Bhilwara districts of Rajasthan and Valsad, Vadodara and Surat districts of Gujarat. Further, deaths of crows were confirmed in the Kotdwar and Dehradun districts of Uttarakhand. In Delhi, crows and ducks were reported dead in New Delhi and Sanjay lake areas.

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



today for carrying out monitoring the epicenter sites and conducting an epidemiological investigation.

The Ministry said states have been requested to build awareness among the public and avoid the spread of misinformation. They have also been requested to increase surveillance around water bodies, live bird markets, zoos, poultry farms along with proper disposal of the carcass, and strengthening of biosecurity in poultry farms. Secretary of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying 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.