The Centre on Friday said that at least six states in India have reported confirmed cases of Bird Flu or Avian Influenza and asked all states to keep a vigil on any unusual mortality among birds.
The six states are Kerala, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana and Gujarat, the Union Animal Husbandry Ministry said in a statement.
Kerala has completed culling operations to stop the spread of the virus and disinfection process is underway, the ministry stated.
The Centre has asked the affected states to contain the disease as per Action Plan on Avian Influenza as Avian Influenza positive samples from ICAR-NIHSAD in poultry (two poultry farms) of Panchkula district, Haryana were confirmed and positive samples in migratory birds in Junagadh district, Gujarat and in crows in Sawai Madhopur, Pali, Jaisalmer and Mohar districts of Rajasthan were reported.
"Central teams have been deployed to visit the affected states of Kerala, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh for monitoring and for epidemiological investigation," the ministry stated.
It also asked the states that are still unaffected by the bird flu to keep a vigil and to report any unusual mortality amongst birds immediately so that necessary measures are taken in the fastest possible time.
In Delhi, an unusual mortality of 16 birds was reported in the DDA park Hastsal Village. The AH Department of NCT of Delhi, has reportedly taken precautionary measures and sent samples to ICAR-NIHSAD and test report is awaited.
Meanwhile, around 50 birds, mostly crows, have died in the national capital over the last three to four days, officials said on Friday.
"We received information about the death of crows in Dwarka and Mayur Vihar Phase 3 and of a few wild birds in Hastsal in West Delhi... "However, it is yet to be ascertained if bird flu infection is the reason," Dr Rakesh Singh from the animal husbandry unit of the Development Department said.
Stressing on the importance of awareness among poultry farmers and the general public (consumers of eggs and chicken) about the disease, the ministry stated that communication from the AHD secretary has been sent to the Health Ministry to restore consumer confidence in consumption of chicken and eggs.
States have been requested to increase awareness regarding safety of poultry or poultry products that are safe for consumption following boiling / cooking procedures for which central support would be available, it added.
