Panchkula (Haryana): Amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, India has reported the emergence of bird flu since last week. The presence of the virus is confirmed in the dead birds in Madhya Pradesh and Kerala while Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan and Gujarat, too, have a strong suspicion of avian influenza in dead birds.
On Tuesday, Haryana has also reported deaths of lakhs of chicken in more than two districts.
According to the reports, at least one lakh chickens have died in three poultry farms of the district. However, it has not been confirmed as the samples were sent to Bhopal for further testing for avian influenza.
Meanwhile, animal husbandry department officials in every district have been put on alert and asked to follow standard operating procedures to check the spread of the virus.
In Himachal Pradesh, after hundreds of winter migratory birds were found dead in the Pong Dam Lake sanctuary recently, Kangra District Magistrate on Monday issued an order completely prohibiting the sale, purchase and export of any poultry products in Fatehpur, Dehra, Jawali and Indora areas of the district.
Himachal Pradesh wildlife authorities confirmed that avian influenza (H5N1) found in the samples collected from the migratory birds.
The Rajasthan government last week sounded an alert after confirmation of avian influenza in crows that died in Jhalawar district. Indore in Madhya Pradesh has also reported the death of crows.
What is bird flu?
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.
