381 bird deaths in HP, Central team reaches Kerala

New Delhi, Jan. 7: More bird deaths were reported from several states, including those of 381 migratory species in Himachal Pradesh, amid cases of avian flu in parts of the country, while a central team reached Kerala on Thursday to assess the situation in two districts where thousands of chickens and ducks were culled following an outbreak of the influenza.

With many states of north India on high alert following cases of the influenza, the Delhi government has asked its officials to keep a close watch on poultry birds coming in from "neighbouring states" to prevent any infection.

The Centre 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.

States have been told to ensure sufficient stock of PPE kits and accessories required for culling operations. They have also been asked to create awareness among public that it is safe to consume poultry products after following boiling and cooking procedures.

The number of dead migratory birds at the Himachal Pradesh's Pong wildlife sanctuary in Kangra district has reached 3,409 as 381 more were found dead on Thursday, an official said, adding that 64 crows have also been found dead in the past few days in areas near the sanctuary.

Crows were also found dead in Bilaspur district, officials said, adding that their samples have been collected for testing.

The birds are believed to have died due to an outbreak of H5N1 avian influenza.

Experts from the Dehradun- based Wildlife Institute of India is on a visit to the Pong wetland to assess the situation and give advice to contain the outbreak, Chief Wildlife Warden Archana Sharma said.

She said 10 rapid response teams are working in nine beats of the sanctuary area for the collection and safe disposal of dead birds. Fifty- five people have been deployed for daily surveillance operations.

Besides, a control room has also been set up at Nagrota Surian to receive and disseminate all bird flu outbreak- related information, she said.

In Karnataka, which shares borders with Kerala, six crows died in Dakshina Kannada district.

Bird flu has been reported in parts of Alappuzha and Kottayam districts of Kerala, prompting officials to cull over 69,000 birds, including ducks and chickens.