UDAIPUR: Looking at the outbreak of avian influenza in some parts of Rajasthan, the forest department and animal husbandry department have planned an exhaustive surveillance in the coming days to prevent any possible spread of the virus among birds across South Rajasthan.
With the bird season at peak and large number of migratory birds flocking the waterbodies, lakes and ponds in Udaipur, Chittorgarh, Banswara, Dungarpur, Pratapgarh and Rajsamand districts, officials have not only issued directives to the staff, but also embarked on a sensitisation campaign to spread awareness among residents to keep a watch and report any abnormal mortality of birds in their localities. So far, no cases of H5N1 have been reported here.
“We are following the protocol as prescribed in the action plan for preparedness, control and containment of avian influenza, 2015. The staff in the entire Udaipur division have been asked for daily tracking, monitoring of waterbodies and update reports every 24 hours. If any sample is collected, it would be sent to the lab at National Institute of High-Security Animal Diseases, Bhopal,” Rajkumar Jain, regional conservator of forests, said.
Meanwhile, joint director of the animal husbandry department, Bhupendra Bharadwaj, said all measures were being taken to prevent any possible outbreak. “The main aim is to prevent the spread of the flu among domestic and migratory birds. Our department is taking care of the captive birds in poultry farms. Their health reports are being monitored regularly. We have also issued directions to report bird deaths and to dispose the carcasses safely so that no other animal eats it which could lead to the spread of the flu,” Bharadwaj said.
Bird watchers, members of nature clubs too are being asked to keep tabs on bird deaths.
“In Udaipur, large number of migratory birds are seen these days at Menar, Badwai, Kishan Karera, FatehSagar, Pichhola, Rundeda and Nagela ponds while in Banswara huge number of ducks, coots, showlers, pelicans and cranes can be spotted at places including backwaters of Mahi Dam, Survaniya dam, Koopda, Aasan Talab etc,” Kamlesh Sharma, a bird enthusiast said.
pics- Birds like Common Teal, Spot billed ducks, Showlers, whistling ducks are seen in large numbers in Barodiya pond in Banswara
Geetha Sunil Pillai