Key Points:
- Indian states of Kerala, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh have been hit by ‘BIRD FLU’ since the last few days.
- The Bird Flu is a highly contagious viral disease caused by Influenza Type A viruses which generally affects poultry birds such as chickens and turkeys.
- Over 1,900 migratory birds have died so far of avian flu in the Kangra district’s Pong Dam area in Himachal.
- In Madhya Pradesh, officials said that 155 dead crows in Indore have been found with the H5N8 strain since the pathogen was first detected in the city a week back.
- in Kerala 1,700 ducks died in the farm situated in Kottayam district adding that nearly 40,000 birds, including 34,000 in Kuttanad region would be culled to check the spread of the virus.
- Officials in the state said on Monday (January 4, 2021) that over 170 new bird deaths were reported in Rajasthan.
- Four lakh poultry birds have died in Haryana’s Panchkula district alone in the last 10 days.
Indian states of Kerala, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh have been hit by ‘BIRD FLU’ since the last few days.
Of the 12 epicenters, the bird flu has been reported in crows in Baran, Kota, Jhalawar region of Rajasthan as well as Mandsaur, Indore, Malwa areas of Madhya Pradesh. In Himachal Pradesh, the infection was found in migratory birds in Kangra region and in poultry ducks in Kottayam, Alappuzha (4 epicentres) in Kerala.What is the Bird-Flu?
What is Bird-Flu?
- The Bird Flu is a highly contagious viral disease caused by Influenza Type A viruses which generally affects poultry birds such as chickens and turkeys.
- There are many strains of the virus – some of them are mild and may merely cause a low egg production or other mild symptoms among chickens, while others are severe and fatal.
How does it Spread?
- Many birds carry the flu without developing sickness, and shed it in their droppings.
- Bird flu is spread by close contact with an infected bird (dead or alive).
- This includes: touching infected birds. touching droppings or bedding.
States Affected by Bird Flu-
1) Himachal Pradesh
– Over 1,900 migratory birds have died so far of avian flu in the Kangra district’s Pong Dam area in Himachal.
– Bird flu virus H5N1 has killed 2,403 migratory birds so far in this area, the state government said.
– The Kangra District Magistrate issued order to BAN sale/purchase/export of any poultry/birds/fish of any breed/age and their related products (eggs, meat, chicken etc) in Fatehpur, Dehra, Jawali and Indora areas of Kangra.
– The next nine kilometres of the Pong Dam sanctuary has also been put under surveillance.
– 95% of birds found dead are bar-headed geese that migrate from Siberia and Mongolia.
2) Madhya Pradesh
– In Madhya Pradesh, officials said that 155 dead crows in Indore have been found with the H5N8 strain since the pathogen was first detected in the city a week back.
– “This is to draw your attention to report of dead crows from Daly College, Indore, Madhya Pradesh. Avian Influenza has been confirmed by the National Institute of Security Animal Diseases. As Avian Influenza is highly pathogenic and can transmit to human beings, all measures need to be taken to prevent the spread of infection,” Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan wrote to Madhya Pradesh.
3) Kerala
– The virus was reported from four panchayats–Nedumudi, Thakazhy, Pallippad and Karuvatta–in Kuttanad region of Alappuzha district and from a duck farm in Neendoor panchayat in Kottayam district.
– 1,700 ducks died in the farm situated in Kottayam district adding that nearly 40,000 birds, including 34,000 in Kuttanad region would be culled to check the spread of the virus.
– Sale of poultry, and related products has been regulated only in the affected parts.
4) Rajasthan
– Officials in the state said on Monday (January 4, 2021) that over 170 new bird deaths were reported in Rajasthan.
– In Jhalawar, carcass samples sent to the National Institute of High-Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD) confirmed bird flu recently.
– “Deaths of over 425 birds, mostly crows, have been reported in parts of the state so far. Bird flu has been confirmed only in Jhalawar. Report of other deaths is yet to come,” PTI quoted the officials as saying.
5) Haryana
– Four lakh poultry birds have died in Haryana’s Panchkula district alone in the last 10 days.
– The state is yet to confirm the outbreak.
All the States have been suggested to coordinate with the forest department for reporting any unusual mortality of birds.
