Centre confirms bird flu in poultry in 5 states

NEW DELHI: The centre, on Monday, confirmed outbreak of avian Influenza in 5 states for poultry birds and in 9 states for crows, migratory birds and other wild birds.

Union animal husbandry commissioner Praveen Malik told ET that the situation of bird flu in poultry is under control with culling operation almost completed in states like Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Kerala and Haryana.

“There are sporadic cases in states except in Maharashtra and Haryana where cases of the disease in poultry have been reported in large number. The situation is, however under control and there is no risk in consumption of poultry and poultry products,” he said.


Meanwhile, Himachal Pradesh government also confirmed avian influenza in poultry. The state government extended the ban imposed till January 18 for one more week on sale of chicken and poultry products in the state.

The centre, however, has asked states not to impose ban on sale of poultry and poultry products and allow such selling sourced from the non-infected areas and states.

Apart from that, avian influenza has been confirmed in samples of dead heron from Tis Hazari and in crow from Red Fort in Delhi.

“Advisory has been issued to animal husbandry department of Delhi for taking necessary action,” said a senior official of union animal husbandry ministry.

In Maharashtra, rapid response teams (RRTs) have been deployed and culling of poultry birds is underway in all the affected epicentres.

“Culling operations have been completed in Central Poultry Development Organisation (CPDO), Mumbai and cleaning and crows and disinfection is in process. Similarly, culling and sanitization operations have been completed in the epicenters of Latur district in Village Kendrewadi, Ahmedpur, Village Sukani, and Village Tondar (Vajrawadi) in Udgir taluk and village Kurdwadi in Ausa taluk,” the official said.

In Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, RRTs have been deployed for culling of poultry birds around 1km radius of epicentres of the outbreak in poultry.

“Culling operation of poultry is continuing in the epicentres of Haryana while visit to Kerala is over,” the official said.