Assam Government bans import of poultry into the state temporarily

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The State Government has banned the import of poultry into the state temporarily with immediate effect due to the outbreak of Avian Influenza (H5N1) in a few states in the country.

The Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department issued a notification to this effect. The notification said that in view of the outbreak of highly pathogenic Avian Influenza in the states of Bihar and Jharkhand, the Assam Government had to impose a temporary ban on the entry of poultry into the state through the western border as a precautionary measure. This is in the interest of preventing the spread of the disease (bird flu) to Assam and other north-eastern states. The notification also said that H5N1 is a highly contagious avian disease with zoonotic potential that could cause huge losses in terms of mortality and poultry trade.

The department has instructed all deputy commissioners of the districts in the western border of the state to ban the entry of vehicles carrying poultry into the state till further notification. The department also said that the district veterinarians will assist the district administration in imposing the ban.

The Central Government recently confirmed the occurrence of Avian Influenza in Jharkhand and Bihar, leading to the culling of birds. That confirmation put the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary officials in Assam on their toes.

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