Bird flu alert in UP after 350 birds die

LUCKNOW: After swine flu, Uttar Pradesh government has sounded bird flu alert following avian influenza outbreak in Amethi, official sources said today.

Chief Secretary Alok Rajan, who has directed all divisional commissioners and district magistrates to initiate preventive measures in their areas to minimise possible adverse effects of bird flu.

This followed a warning by an expert team that confirmed a "highly pathogenic avian influenza" outbreak in Amethi, where 350 birds, chicken and ducks died of a mystery disease on March 6-7.

The incident occurred in the villages of Chandgarh and Sare Ka Purwa in Shukulbazaa area.

"DMs should form a joint team comprising representatives of health, animal husbandry, panchyati raj and urban planning departments so that an action plan for containing the disease could be rolled out," the alert said.

The Chief Secretary also directed effective surveillance of poultry farms, particularly those near water bodies.

Districts along Nepal and Bihar borders have been asked to furnish a daily report of action taken to curb avian influenza.

The outbreak of bird flu cases came at a time when the state is battling with swine flu, which is raging in 35 districts and has so far claimed 17 lives.

The maximum number of 898 H1N1 cases have been reported from Lucknow till yesterday