Tag: Kerala bird flu

  • Bird flu outbreak: Centre asks all states to be prepared for any eventuality

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: The Centre on Thursday said bird flu has been confirmed only in Kerala, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh so far, but all states should be prepared for any eventuality.

    States have been told to ensure sufficient stock of PPE kits and accessories required for culling operations.

    They have also been asked to create awareness among public that it is safe to consume poultry products after following boiling/cooking procedures.

    ALSO READ: Bird flu outbreak – Central team takes stock of situation in Kerala

    The Secretary in the Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying held a meeting with the states to understand the status of the outbreak of avian influenza (bird flu) and to suggest measures for control, containment and prevention of spread of the disease, an official statement said.

    An unusual mortality of poultry, crows, migratory birds has been reported from Kerala, Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh.

    “So far, the disease has been confirmed only from four states (Kerala, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh). Culling operations are underway in the affected districts of Kerala,” the statement said.

    ALSO READ: Government confirms bird flu cases in Rajasthan, Kerala, Himachal and MP

    In the meeting, it was emphasized that besides increasing surveillance around water bodies, live bird markets, zoos, poultry farms, etc. proper disposal of carcass and strengthening of biosecurity in poultry farms should be ensured.

    “States were requested to be prepared for any eventuality of avian influenza and were requested to ensure sufficient stock of PPE kits and accessories required for culling operations,” the statement said.

    Besides ensuring collection of representative samples and timely submission to the designated laboratories (RDDLs/CDDL/ICAR-NIHSAD), the Centre has asked state animal husbandry departments to ensure effective communication and coordination with health authorities for close vigilance on the outbreak and avoid any chances of jumping of the disease into humans.

    ALSO READ: Bird flu – Madhya Pradesh govt bans chicken trade with some southern states

    Effective coordination with the state forest departments was also emphasized for immediate reporting of any unusual mortalities in non-domestic birds in forest areas and around water bodies.

    The Centre has already issued advisories to the affected states regarding increasing and intensifying surveillance for unusual mortality of birds including wild/migratory birds.

    It has also established a central control room to strategize, co-ordinate and facilitate state governments with regard to outbreak management, disease control and containment.

    ALSO READ: Punjab issues advisory for surveillance of poultry farms, wetlands amid bird flu scare

    Moreover, two central teams have been deployed to visit the affected states of Kerala, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh for monitoring and for epidemiological investigation.

    That apart, the department along with Secretary, National Disaster Management Authority held a meeting with all states’ officials of the Health Department, Animal Husbandry Department and State Disaster Management authorities to take stock of preparedness and to advise on intensive surveillance in affected areas.

    “Awareness among poultry farmers and the general public (consumers of eggs and chicken) about the disease is of foremost importance. So states have been asked to quell consumer reactions, affected by rumours and increase awareness regarding safety of poultry or poultry products that were safe for consumption following boiling/cooking procedures,” the statement said.

  • Government confirms bird flu cases in Rajasthan, Kerala, Himachal and MP

    By ANI
    NEW DELHI: Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying on Wednesday confirmed Avian Influenza, commonly known as bird flu, cases have been reported from Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and Kerala.

    The ministry informed this after the samples from these states were tested positive by Indian Council of Agricultural Research -National Institute of High-Security Animal Diseases (ICAR-NIHSAD).

    In an official statement, the ministry said in Rajasthan, bird flu is reported in crows in Baran, Kota and Jhalawar district, while Madhya Pradesh also reported the disease in crows in Mandsaur, Indore and Malwa districts.

    ALSO READ | Chennai Corporation on alert, to observe symptoms of avian influenza

    “In Himachal Pradesh, the bird flu is reported in migratory birds in Kangra, while in Kerala it is reported in poultry-duck in Kottayam and Allapuzha districts,” it said.

    The ministry said an advisory was issued to Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh on January 1, 2021, asking to avoid further spread of the infection.

    “As per the information received from Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, control measures are being taken as per the guidelines of the National Action Plan of Avian Influenza. Another advisory has been issued on January 5, 2021, to Himachal Pradesh where the state has been advised to take measures so as to avoid further spread of disease to poultry. As per the report received, Kerala has already initiated control and containment operations from January 5, 2021 at epicenters, and the culling process is in operation,” it further stated.

    The ministry also informed that it has set up a control room in New Delhi to keep watch on the situation and to take stock on a daily basis of preventive and control measures undertaken by state authorities.

    Kerala Minister for Forest, Animal husbandry and Dairy development K Raju on Tuesday confirmed that that about 12,000 ducks had died and around 40,000 birds will be culled in the region where bird flu has been reported.

    The state government had said bird flu is declared as state-specific disaster in Kerala and high alert has been issued after an outbreak of bird flu was confirmed in certain parts of Kottayam and Alappuzha districts.

    ALSO READ | Vigil up as bird flu fells migratory, poultry fowls across Indian states

    “The measures suggested to the affected states to contain the disease and prevent further spread as per the Action Plan on Avian Influenza include strengthening the biosecurity of poultry farms, disinfection of affected areas, proper disposal of dead birds/carcasses, timely collection and submission of samples for confirmation and further surveillance, intensification of surveillance plan as well as the general guidelines for the prevention of disease spread from affected birds to poultry and human,” the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying said.

    On Tuesday, Madhya Pradesh Animal Husbandry Minister Prem Singh Patel also said an alert has been sounded to control the deaths of crows in the state after nearly 400 crows were found dead in 10 districts.

    The Central government has suggested to the states to coordinate with the forest department for reporting any unusual mortality of birds, and asked the other states to keep a vigil on any unusual mortality amongst birds and to report immediately to take necessary measures.

    Bird flu virus H5N1 has killed 2,403 migratory birds so far in Himachal Pradesh’s Kangra district, the state government said on Tuesday. Due to this, a 10-km alert zone was declared where no sale of eggs allowed and poultry markets closed, said the State Animal Husbandry Department.

    Meanwhile, Rajasthan Animal Husbandry Minister Lalchand Kataria also said it is a matter of concern as it impacted the birds and poultry industry. More than 50 birds were found dead in the Baran district on Tuesday.

    Notably, bird flu viruses have been circulating worldwide for centuries with four known major outbreaks recorded in the last century. India notified the first outbreak of avian influenza in 2006. Infection in humans is not yet reported in India though the disease is zoonotic.

    “There is no direct evidence that AI viruses can be transmitted to humans via the consumption of contaminated poultry products. In India, the disease spreads mainly by migratory birds coming into India during winter months i.e. from September – October to February – March. The secondary spread by human handling (through fomites) cannot be ruled out,” the ministry said.

    In view of a threat of a global outbreak of AI, the DAHD had prepared an action plan in 2005, which was revised in 2006, 2012, 2015 and 2021 for the guidance of state government for prevention, control and containment of Avian Influenza in the country. 

  • Bird Flu: 2,403 birds dead in Himachal Pradesh, number likely to increase

    By ANI
    SHIMLA: With over 2,400 birds dead so far in Himachal Pradesh, the state has been put on high alert for avian influenza and officials are monitoring the situation according to state forest minister Rakesh Pathania.

    “As many as 2,403 birds have died so far. We expect that this number will grow. We are on high alert and monitoring the situation very carefully,” Pathania told ANI.

    Hundreds of winter migratory birds including bar-headed goose along with river tern, brown-headed gull, and cormorants were found dead in and around the Pong Dam Sanctuary area.

    Forest officials first noticed the bird deaths in December end and the range forest officer of Nagrota-Surian in a letter on December 31 reported a total of 141 winter migratory birds were found dead in Pong Dam Lake Sanctuary in Nagrota-Surian wildlife range. The letter also reported that in Jawali Beat area of the range, 29 migratory birds were found dead while in the Bhatoli Phakorian area, 7 Bar Headed Goose were found dead

    ALSO READ | Karnataka Bird festival on despite concerns over virus

    The state’s agriculture minister Virender Kanwar said that poultry samples are being collected from different parts of the state and have been sent for testing for bird flu.

    “119 samples of poultry have been sent to a lab in Jalandhar for the test. We are collecting poultry samples from different parts of the state,” said Kanwar.

    The Kangra District Magistrate issued order, completely prohibiting sale/purchase/export of any poultry/birds/fish of any breed/age and their related products (eggs, meat, chicken etc) in Fatehpur, Dehra, Jawali and Indora areas of Kangra.

    Apart from Himachal Pradesh, four other states have reported avian deaths. Kerala issued a high alert against bird flu on Tuesday after declaring bird-flu as a state-specific disaster after outbreak of the virus was confirmed in certain parts of Kottayam and Alappuzha districts.

    Kerala Minister for Forest, Animal husbandry and Dairy development K Raju had confirmed that that about 12,000 ducks had died and around 40,000 birds will be culled in the region where bird flu has been reported.

    Madhya Pradesh has also sounded an alert after nearly 400 crows were found dead in 10 districts, including Indore.

    ALSO READ | Avian flu: 24,110 birds culled in Alappuzha, Kottayam on Day 1

    Between December 23 and January 3, 142 crows died in Indore, 100 in Mandsaur, 112 in Agar Malwa and 13 crows died in Khargone districts. In Madhya Pradesh’s Mandsaur, officials said that around 100 crows died in the city between December 23 and January 3.

    Bird flu has been detected in four samples of dead crows sent to the state lab, according to an official at the Animal Husbandry Department, Mandsaur, where he said around 100 crows died between December 23 and January 3.

    Rajasthan has established a state-level control room to monitor the avian influenza situation and the state has also sounded an alert. More than 50 birds were found dead in the Baran district of Rajasthan on Tuesday. The state administration has issued high alert in Kota and Jhalawar districts too. 

  • Bird flu: States on alert; Haryana reports over 4 lakh poultry deaths in 10 days, Kerala culls chickens, ducks

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: Several states on Tuesday sounded an alert to contain the H5N8 strain of bird flu and sent samples for testing while Kerala began culling of chickens and ducks.

    Karnataka and Tamil Nadu stepped up surveillance and formed guidelines following the outbreak of the viral infection in neighbouring Kerala, where around 1,700 ducks have died due to the flu.

    In Haryana, over four lakh poultry birds have died at farms in Panchkula district in the past 10 days, officials said, adding a team from Jalandhar’s Regional Disease Diagnosis Laboratory has collected samples.

    There are no confirmed reports of avian influenza till now, a RDDL spokesperson said.

    In Madhya Pradesh, officials said that 155 dead crows in Indore have been found with the H5N8 strain since the pathogen was first detected in the city a week back, while in Rajasthan, after Jhalwar, birds in Kota and Baran were found with the infection.

    However, no cases have been reported yet in Maharashtra, which shares borders with Madhya Pradesh.

    Officials in Himachal Pradesh surveyed the area around the Pong Dam Lake sanctuary in Kangra district to check the spread of the flu to domestic poultry birds, a day after samples of dead migratory birds there tested positive for H5N8.

    Till now, 2,700 migratory birds, mostly bar-headed geese, have been found dead in the lake area and samples have been sent for testing, state animal husbandry officials said.

    The operation to cull birds in and around a one-km radius of the affected areas in Alappuzha and Kottayam in Kerala was launched a day after results of samples tested at the National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases in Bhopal confirmed the outbreak of the bird flu in the two districts.

    Rapid response teams, set up by the administration, began culling ducks, hens and other domestic birds as per guidelines, officials said.

    Culling of birds in four panchayats of Nedumudi, Thakazhy, Pallippad and Karuvatta in Kuttanad region, where the outbreak has been reported, is expected to be completed by Wednesday evening, Alappuzha district authorities said.

    In Karuvatta panchayat alone, around 12,000 birds will be culled, an official said.

    In the affected areas of Neendoor panchayat in Kottayam district, the rapid response teams have culled some 3,000 birds so far, authorities said.

    On a farm in Neendoor, around 1,700 ducks had died due to the viral infection.

    Officials have said around 40,000 domestic birds, including 34,000 in the Kuttanad region alone, will be culled to check the spread of the H5N8 virus.

    Though the situation has been brought under control, authorities have sounded a high alert in the districts, considering the potential of the virus to infect humans.

    The Alappuzha district collector has banned the use and trade of meat, eggs and waste of domestic birds, including ducks and chicken, in Kuttanad and Karthikappalli Taluks, officials said.

    In Indore, the presence of bird flu was first detected on December 29, when about 50 crows were found dead on the Daly College campus of the Residency area, and tests run on two of the carcasses confirmed the presence of the pathogen.

    Madhya Pradesh veterinary department deputy director Pramod Sharma said 155 crows were detected with the H5N8 virus in the Residency area in the last eight days.

    The deadly avian influenza has not been found in any other bird species apart from crows in Indore so far, he said.

    “Samples from 120 live hens and roosters from the area and 30 migratory birds from Sirpur Lake have been sent to a laboratory in Bhopal to check for bird flu. The reports are awaited,” Sharma said.

    Survey is being carried out in the Residency area to check people with symptoms like cold, cough and fever, a state health department official said but added that no case of the H5N8 infection has been found in humans.

    Jammu and Kashmir sounded an alert and started collecting samples to check the health of winged guests flocking to the Union territory during winters, officials said as neighbouring Himachal Pradesh reported cases of bird flu.

    Joint teams of the animal husbandry and wildlife departments on Tuesday visited the Gharana wetland in the outskirts of Jammu and collected 25 bird droppings for testing to ascertain whether any of the birds are infected with avian influenza, officials said.

    Following the bird flu outbreak in neighbouring Kerala, Tamil Nadu stepped up surveillance on inter-state borders and announced a contingency plan for the management of possible human cases.

    “The avian influenza spreads rapidly, there could be a likelihood of humans getting affected. So, as a precaution, the directorate general of health services has evolved a contingency plan for the management of human cases,” Tamil Nadu health secretary J Radhakrishnan said.

    Karnataka health minister K Sudhakar directed officers in border districts to remain vigilant in the view of avian flu outbreak in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.

    He said guidelines will be issued to all districts for necessary action.

    In Himachal Pradesh, teams have started collecting samples of poultry from an area of 10-km radius from the periphery of the Pong Dam Lake, animal husbandry deputy director Munish Batta said.

    “Our priority is to ensure that the infection does not spread from migratory birds to domestic poultry,” he added.

    There has so far been no report of any unusual sickness or death among poultry birds, Batta said.

    Officials in Rajasthan said samples sent from Kota and Baran have been found positive with H5N8.

    State animal husbandry minister Lal Chand Kataria said avian influenza has been found only in Jhalawar, Kota and Baran.

    Till Tuesday, 625 birds have died in 16 districts.

    Also, 86 samples have been sent for testing, officials said.