SHIMLA: Amid the bird flu scare, ban on import of poultry products in Himachal Pradesh has been extended by a week. Reviewing measures being undertaken by the wildlife wing of the forest department to contain Avian Influenza outbreak in Pong dam lake wildlife sanctuary, forest minister Rakesh Pathania expressed satisfaction over the sharp decline in mortality of birds over the last few days.
Animal husbandry minister Virender Kanwar said in view of public health considerations, the state government has temporarily extended the ban on entry of poultry and poultry products into the state from neighbouring states for another week. He said a notification to this effect was issued by the government on Monday.
The minister said bird flu in migratory birds was notified in Pong Dam wetland of Kangra on January 6. Recently, dead poultry birds were dumped in border areas of the state. The state government collected samples from the carcasses and disposed of the remaining in accordance with protocol. Later, the area was sanitised. NIHSAD Lab, Bhopal confirmed Avian Influenza-H5N8 in the dumped birds.
At present, Kanwar said, mortality among migratory birds was on the decline. On January 17, only 21 migratory birds died in the Pong Dam wetland area. Forest minister Rakesh Pathania has directed officers to continue with strict vigil and active surveillance on all wintering habitats of migratory birds in the state and to deal with any unusual mortality in wild birds as per recommended protocols.
He said 10 rapid response teams (RRTs) of the wildlife wing would continue to work in the wetland for collection and safe disposal of dead birds in accordance with protocol till no mortality was recorded. Total mortality count in Pong Dam Lake wildlife sanctuary till date was 4,936, he said.
Kanwar also lauded the efforts of the wildlife wing and field officers for taking timely and effective action in containing the outbreak and preventing its spread to domestic poultry. He advised the personnel involved in these operations to ensure that all bio-safety measures were taken for protection against the Avian Influenza virus.