SUDHIR KUMAR / NEW DELHI
The Union Government today said that Avian Influenza has been confirmed in 10 states of the country. Ministry of Animal Husbandry and Dairying said, ICAR-National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases has confirmed death of crows and migratory birds in Tonk, Karauli, Bhilwara districts of Rajasthan and Valsad, Vadodara and Surat districts of Gujarat.
Further, deaths of crows were confirmed in Kotdwar and Dehradun districts of Uttarakhand. In Delhi, crows and ducks were reported dead in New Delhi and Sanjay lake areas.
In Haryana, culling of infected birds is underway for the control and containment of the spread of the disease. A Central team has visited Himachal Pradesh and will reach Panchkula today for carrying out monitoring the epicentre sites and conducting epidemiological investigation.
The Ministry said, states have been requested to build awareness among the public and avoid the spread of misinformation. They have also been requested to increase surveillance around water bodies, live bird markets, zoos, poultry farms along with proper disposal of carcass, and strengthening of biosecurity in poultry farms. Secretary of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying has requested State Animal Husbandry Departments to ensure effective communication and coordination with Health authorities for close vigilance of the disease status and avoid any chances of jumping of the disease into humans.