Outbreak of bird flu confirmed in 7 states: Centre

Delhi, Maharashtra test results awaited

New Delhi, Jan. 10: The Centre on Sunday said bird flu outbreak has been confirmed in seven states — Kerala, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh, while test results are still awaited for Delhi and Maharashtra samples.

No samples have been confirmed positive in wild birds from Balod district, Chhattisgarh which were tested earlier, the department of animal husbandry and dairying said in a statement.

After confirmation of avian influenza (bird flu) positive samples in poultry (two poultry farms) of Panchkula district of Haryana, the state government has deployed nine Rapid Response team, and containment operation is underway in both the epicentres.

Samples of crow/wild birds have been confirmed for avian influenza from Surat district of Gujarat and Sirohi district of Rajasthan.

“Further, reports of unusual deaths of 86 crows and 2 egrets were

◗ NO SAMPLES have been confirmed positive in wild birds from Balod district in Chhattisgarh which were tested earlier, the department of animal husbandry and dairying said

received from Kangra district (Himachal Pradesh),” the statement said.

“Reports of unusual mortality of wild birds have also been received from Nahan, Bilaspur and Mandi (Himachal Pradesh) and samples have been sent to the designated laboratory for testing,” it added.

The department has issued advisories to the affected states to avoid further spread of disease.

“So far, the disease has been confirmed from seven states (Kerala, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh),” it said.

The Centre said test reports of samples from Delhi and Maharashtra, which have been sent to the designated laboratory, are still awaited.