With the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, the world went into hibernation to save itself from the deadly virus. As India saw many fatalities due to Coronavirus, there seems to be another threat on humankind in the form of bird flu.
As more than 1,200 birds were found dead across the country on Saturday, including 900 in a poultry farm in Maharashtra, the outbreak of avian influenza has been confirmed in UP also, raising the total number of affected states to seven.
The Centre has confirmed that evidence of bird flu in Delhi, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra is anticipated as samples have been submitted for testing.
Besides Uttar Pradesh, the other six states in which bird flu is reported are Kerala, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana and Gujarat.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal declared a ban on the import of live birds in the national capital and the closure of the Ghazipur poultry market, the largest in the world, for the next 10 days in view of bird flu scare.
Noting that there has so far been no reported case of avian influenza in Delhi, the Chief Minister said samples have been submitted to the Jalandhar laboratory. He also said that a 24-hour helpline was set up to assist residents.
“The Rapid Response Teams have been set up in each district to control the spread and perform proper surveillance, and will run under the District Magistrates. Our vets conduct proper surveys in all bird markets, wildlife institutions and water bodies throughout Delhi.
“The special focus of the teams is on the Ghazipur poultry market, Shakti Sthal Lake, Bhalswa Lake, Sanjay L.” added Kejriwal.
“We found carcasses of four crows at Loej village on Friday evening. The remains will be sent to a laboratory in Bhopal to ascertain the cause of death,” said Ashok Kumbhani, vet of the Mangrol veterinary dispensary in the district.
Of the 10 birds discovered in the field, four were dead on the spot and six are currently under care, the official said. The Deputy Commissioner also told the National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases team that Bhopal will be visiting Panchkula next week.
