Jhalawar dist goes on alert to prevent bird flu outbreak

JAIPUR: After dead crows tested positive for

H5 avian influenza virus in Jhalawar

, the district administration and

forest department

have rushed quick response teams and imposed Section 144 in the affected area.

The deaths of crows have been reported from Radi Ke Balaji in Jhalawar from December 25.

Following this, the state animal husbandry department had sent samples of dead crows on December 27 to the National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD), Bhopal.

The administration swung into action on Wednesday night after the samples of dead birds, including three jungle crows and two common crows, tested positive for the H5 avian influenza virus.

Jhalawar collector Ngikya Gohain said, “Curfew has been imposed in the 1km of Radi area and containment operations has been initiated in accordance with guidelines. A rapid response team has been constituted to collect samples from poultry retailers.”

An advisory has already been issued to the team, which includes sub-divisional magistrate, deputy superintendent of police (DySP), animal husbandry and forest department officials, asking them to minimise human-bird interface to prevent an outbreak of bird flu.

No poultry death has been reported so far, but the administration has started the preventive exercise.

“There are no poultry farms in the close proximity of the city. However, as a precautionary measure, our teams will also collect samples from farms, which are away from the city. In case the birds at poultry farms test positive, they will be culled and suitable compensation will be given, as per provision,” Gohain said.

The forest department also sounded a high alert on the possibility of bird flu spreading among

migratory birds present

in many waterbodies, including Mugeliya Khedi.

Jhalawar DFO Hemant Singh Shekhawat said, "Our team will collect faecal samples of migratory birds. The migratory birds have arrived in good numbers in the current season. The health of migratory birds is being constantly monitored. We have asked our teams to inform us immediately if they observe indifferent behaviour in migratory birds. Immediate action will be taken, if any death is reported.”

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