India warns of bird flu outbreak

NDO - On March 14, authorities in Bihar state, eastern India, issued a warning about the risk of avian influenza (H5N1) outbreak in several districts in the state.

Outbreaks were reported in Patna, Bhagalpur, Nawada and Jehanabad districts.

Special teams comprising veterinary and animal husbandry officials have culled chickens at several poultry farms following the outbreak. Samples collected have been sent to the Bhopal-based National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD) which tested positive for avian influenza virus.

Reports said that the areas have been disinfected to prevent the spread of the disease. Besides, control and prevention measures are being carried out in the affected districts.

The government has issued a complete ban on the sale of poultry and poultry products in infected areas.

Alarmed by the spread of bird flu, local authorities have instructededucation department officials to stop supplying eggs to government schools under the Mid-Day Meal Scheme.

According to local officials, egg supplies will be restored as soon as the situation returns to normal.

The government has stressed the need to conduct awareness campaign to control the spread of bird flu in the state.

Last week, the government asked all states to step up surveillance in high-risk areas such as poultry farms and poultry markets. Authorities have also issued an alert for the H5N1 virus, also known as bird flu, after nine states, including Jharkhand, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Punjab, reported outbreaks since January.

Avian influenza, a serious and highly contagious respiratory disease of birds caused by the H5N1 influenza virus, can also occasionally infect humans.

Source: https://nhandan.vn/an-do-canh-bao-nguy-co-bung-phat-cum-gia-cam-post865230.html