New Delhi: Avian influenza (bird flu) has been confirmed in 10 states in the country by 11 January 2021. ICAR-NIHSAD has confirmed deaths of crows and migratory/wild birds in Tonk, Karauli, Bhilwara districts of Rajasthan and Valsad, Vadodara, and Surat districts of Gujarat. Apart from this, the death of crows has also been confirmed in Uttarakhand’s Kotdwar and Dehradun districts. Deaths of crows and ducks in Sanjay Lake areas have also been reported in New Delhi.
In addition, chickens have been confirmed to be infected with bird flu in the Parbhani district, while Mumbai, Thane, Dapoli, and Beed in Maharashtra have also been diagnosed with bird flu.
In Haryana, the culling of infected birds is going on to prevent and control the disease. A central team has visited Himachal Pradesh and the team is reaching Panchkula on 11 January 2021 to monitor the epicenter sites and carry out epidemiological investigations.
States have been requested to create public awareness and stop the dissemination of misinformation. States / UTs have been requested to increase surveillance around water bodies, bird markets, zoos, poultry farms, etc., properly dispose of bird carcasses and strengthen bio-security in poultry farms. In addition, adequate storage of PPE kits and accessories required for coupling operations should also be done. The Secretary of DAHD requested the State Animal Husbandry Departments to ensure effective communication and coordination with the health authorities for strict monitoring of the condition of the disease and to prevent any possibility of the disease spreading to humans.