Bird flu scare: J&K on high alert as one more state confirm cases
Samples of 50 birds taken, results awaited: Wildlife Warden
Jahangeer Ganaie
Srinagar, Jan 11 (KNO): Jammu and Kashmir has been put on high alert as one more state has confirmed the outbreak of avian influenza in India.
Maharashtra becomes the ninth state in India where cases of avian influenza have been detected. Earlier, cases of bird flu have been reported in Kerala, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Gujarat, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh.
Wildlife Warden Jammu, Anil Atri told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that they have taken samples of around 50 birds (including dead birds), however, results are awaited.
Deputy Director Animal Husbandry Jammu Dr Prakash Dogra said that so far no case of bird flu has been reported in J&K.
“We will get the reports in the coming two to three days. But as of now, no such case has been reported,” Dogra said.
Meanwhile, authorities in Kashmir also said that they are on high alert and measures are put in place to tackle the situation in case of bird flu.
After cases of bird flu were reported in neighbouring states, an alert was sounded in J&K and samples of birds were collected to check whether flu has reached the region.
Monitoring committees lead by district chief animal husbandry officers have also been constituted to keep a vigil.
Doctors in J&K have cautioned people not go eat raw poultry parts or raw eggs, however, cooked poultry is safe to use.
People associated with slaughtering, de-feathering and eviscerating of birds have also been advised to take extra precaution to avoid any contraction of the virus.
Meanwhile, officials said that there are no reports of an outbreak of avian influenza in the valley till now.
Rapid response teams as per GoI guidelines are being established besides advisories to common public and farmers are also issued—(KNO)
