Rapid Response Team constituted after Avian flu confirmed in Jhalawar

After several crows dropped dead in Rajasthan's Jhalawar district on Thursday due to the avian flu, the district administration imposed has Section 144 in the area. A Rapid Response Team has been constituted to collect samples from poultry farms and shops.

Jhalawar (Rajasthan):A high alert has been sounded across the desert state after Avian Influenza was confirmed in the samples of around 100 crows which were found dead in Rajasthan's Jhalawar district. The same samples have been sent to Bhopal for further testing.

According to the reports, around 100 crows were found dead in a local temple situated in Jhalawar, after which the administration swung into action.

Jhalawar District Collector Ngikya Gohain immediately sounded zero mobility within the one-kilometre area of this temple to ensure there is no transmission of avian influenza and also a Rapid Response Team has been constituted to collect samples from poultry farms and shops.

When ETV Bharat asked the District Collector about the avian flu, he said that the administration had received information about the unforeseen deaths of hundreds of crow in the 'Radi ke Balaji temple' in Jhalawar town on December 25, after which a joint team of wildlife department and animal husbandry department were sent to the spot.

All national parks and wildlife sanctuaries and other forest areas have been asked to take special precautions after the National Institute of High-Security Animal Diseases confirmed bird flu in the samples tested so far.

When ETV Bharat spoke to an ornithologist, Dr Satya Prakash Mehra, said that if a large number of deaths reported from a particular area, then they must be migrated from that place to curb the spread of the virus.

"Like migratory birds, crows, generally won't cover a long distance. Therefore, the government has to take serious action to shift them to a safer place", added Mehra.

According to Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, Avian influenza refers to the disease caused by infection with avian (bird) influenza (flu) Type A viruses.

These viruses occur naturally among wild aquatic birds worldwide and can infect domestic poultry and other bird and animal species. Avian flu viruses do not normally infect humans. However, sporadic human infections with avian flu viruses have occurred.