Avian flu: Under close surveillance in Assam

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: With reports of 'Avian Influenza' from at least six States in the country, birds and poultry in Assam are under close surveillance.

Talking to The Sentinel on Thursday, the Director of Veterinary Department, Ashok Barman, said, "Close surveillance of birds is all we can do now. Though there has been no symptom of 'Avian Influenza' in the State, we've had a meeting as a precautionary measure and reviewed the situation in the State today. We've requested the government to ban import of chicken and poultry from the western States, for the time being. We've also alerted our officials, besides asking the check-gates to be watchful.

"We've stressed on three main steps: (i) special and targeted sero and biological surveillance of wet and live poultry markets, market chain on poultry supply areas with high duck population and water bodies where wild and domestic birds congregate, (ii) surveillance of wild migratory birds in their nesting areas, with special emphasis on sero surveillance of poultry and ducks in such areas, (iii) all field veterinary units ascertaining immediately if there is unusual sickness or mortality in poultry and wild birds with adequate sampling and sending such samples to the North East Regional Diseases Diagnostic Laboratory, and intimation to the civil administration for further action plan, etc.

"We're alert to the recent news of outbreak of 'Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza' (PHAI) among poultry, crows and migratory birds in six States of the country.

"Migratory birds are considered to be transmitters of infection from one place to another. In this season wild migratory birds flock various water bodies in the State. All these are under our close surveillance."

The State Veterinary department has also asked all district Veterinary officials to keep poultry and migratory birds under their close surveillance. It has also requested the State Forest department to inform if deaths of birds are detected in any forest areas.

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