Indore: Madhya Pradesh government on Thursday confirmed the presence of Bird flu virus in chicken samples collected in Indore and Neemuch. H5N8 virus has been found in samples taken from Indore and Neemuch in an investigation conducted in Bhopal's High-Security Animal Lab. After bird flu infection was found among chickens, the state government has ordered the closure of poultry shops in Neemuch and Indore districts.
Since the strains of bird flu were detected in Madhya Pradesh, several control rooms have been set up in Bhopal for the prevention of its spread. Besides, guidelines have been issued to all collectors across the state to prevent and control the spread of the disease.
All the district collectors have been instructed to remain on alert to deal with any case of emergency as a result of bird flu.
There is no need to panic: Madhya Pradesh CM
Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan reviewed efforts being taken to prevent the spread of the virus in the state.
The Chief Minister said his government had banned shipments of chicken from Kerala and other southern states for the next 10 days.
Chauhan said, "I have given necessary instructions after meeting with the officials. There is no need to panic. The situation is constantly being monitored. The government is fully alert."
"In two cases in Indore and Neemuch, bird flu was confirmed, samples were collected from shops. I have instructed that all shops and chicken markets within a radius of 1 km from the highlighted locations be closed for 7 days. It has also been ordered that the area within 10 km radius be monitored," he tweeted.
On Wednesday, the state government had said it would not allow entry to chicken consignments from Kerala and other southern states for the next 10 days as thousands of poultry birds were culled in Kerala to prevent the outbreak of H5N8 virus.
The Centre on Thursday said bird flu has been confirmed only in Kerala, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh so far, but all states should be prepared for any eventuality.
So far, the most impact of bird flu is visible in Madhya Pradesh, which is why the state government has increased vigilance in the affected areas. Earlier, the case of death of crows was reported in Indore.
After this, the infection was confirmed in eight districts of Mandsaur, Agar Malwa. More than 400 birds have died in the state since December 23.
The National Institute of High-Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD), Bhopal, confirmed the presence of bird flu virus in the samples of crows from Indore, Neemuch, Dewas, Ujjain, Khandwa, Khargone and Guna districts.
They have also been asked to collect samples of migratory birds from near water bodies and send them to Bhopal for testing. In other five districts too, preventive measures should be taken, the advisory said.
It is pertinent to be mentioned here that apart from Indore, Mandsaur, Agar Malwa, Ujjain, Sihor, Dewas, Guna, Shajapur, Khargone and Neemuch have been issued a notice to remain alert due to bird flu. Some samples have also been sent from here for investigation. So far the virus has been confirmed in 8 districts.
More than 400 birds killed so far
So far, the most impact of bird flu is visible in Madhya Pradesh, which is why the state government has increased vigilance in the affected areas. Earlier, the case of death of crows was reported in Indore. After this, the infection was confirmed in eight districts of Mandsaur, Agar Malwa. More than 400 birds have died in the state since December 23.
Animal care department officials should take precautions
Keeping the cases of bird flu in view, Additional Chief Secretary of Animal Husbandry Department J N Consortia has asked to set up control rooms in all districts and ensure availability of PPE kits. Instructions have been given that departmental staff should wear PPE kit at the time of sample collection and disposal.
After the death of chickens, crows and migratory birds, the place should be sanitized. Information about the disease and death of birds should be sent to the headquarters immediately.
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