New Delhi, Jan 11 (UNI) The Centre on Monday confirmed the spread of Avian Influenza (AV) in 10 states of the country.

Till January 11, bird flu has been confirmed in ten states of the country, department of animal husbandry and dairying said in a statement.

So far, the Indian Council for Agriculture Research (ICAR)- National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD) has confirmed death of crows and migratory, wild 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, respectively, were reported dead in New Delhi and Sanjay lake areas, the NIHSAD said.

Additionally, outbreak of Avian influenza has been among poultry in Parbhani district while AI is confirmed from Mumbai, Thane, Dapoli, Beed in crows in Maharashtra.

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 on January 11, 2021 for monitoring the epicentre sites and conducting epidemiological investigation.

The Centre has requested to build awareness among the public and avoid the spread of misinformation. States and Union Territories(UTs) have been requested to increase surveillance around water bodies, live bird markets, zoos, poultry farms along with proper disposal of carcass, and strengthening of bio-security in poultry farms.

The Centre has also asked to maintain adequate stock of PPE kits and accessories required for culling operations. The Secretary of Department of Animal Husbandry has also 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.

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