Bird flu outbreak in four states, Centre issues advisory to contain spread

 

Health workers in protective suits prepare to set fire after culling ducks following the detection of H5N8 strain of bird flu among domestic birds in Alappuzha district, Tuesday, January 05, 2021. (AP)

The Centre on Wednesday said that Avian Influenza, or the bird flu outbreak, had so far been reported at 12 epicentres across four states — Kerala, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh — and issued advisories to contain further spread of the infection.

Of the 12 epicenters, the bird flu has been reported in crows in Baran, Kota, Jhalawar region of Rajasthan as well as Mandsaur, Indore, Malwa areas of Madhya Pradesh. In Himachal Pradesh, the infection was found in migratory birds in Kangra region and in poultry ducks in Kottayam, Alappuzha (4 epicentres) in Kerala.

Avian influenza or bird flu is a highly contagious viral disease caused by Influenza Type A viruses, which generally affects poultry birds such as chickens and turkeys. There are many strains of the virus; some of them are mild and may merely cause a dip in egg production or other mild symptoms among chickens, while others are severe and lethal.

The Union Ministry of Fisheries and Animal Husbandry have asked other states to keep a vigil on any unusual mortality amongst birds. The current bird flu outbreak comes few months after India on September 30, 2020, declared the country free from the disease. India notified the first outbreak of Avian Influenza in 2006.

Here are the latest developments:

MP bans chicken import from southern states

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan Wednesday said that no chicken consignments from Kerala and other southern states would be procured for the next 10 days in view of the bird flu scare in MP.

Talking to reporters in Indore, Chouhan also said his government was issuing directives to ban the transportation of chicken consignments from these states to the border districts of Madhya Pradesh.

“Bird flu symptoms were found in chickens in Kerala and other southern states. Therefore, we have decided that no chicken from these states will be allowed to enter Madhya Pradesh for the next 10 days,” Chouhan was quoted as saying.

Chouhan also reviewed the bird flu situation with officials in Bhopal, after mass death of crows was reported from some districts of the state, including Indore, Agar Malwa and Mandsaur. “I have reviewed the bird flu situation in the state today. There is no cause of worry. We are keeping a constant watch on the situation,” he said.