Jammu Tawi/Srinagar, Jan 23: The authorities in Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday said that no case of avian flu has been reported in poultry birds in J&K, however, few cases have been reported in crows and migratory birds.
The administration said there is no need to panic, but there is need to follow precautions in letter and spirit.
A day after the Jammu and Kashmir administration lifted the ban on poultry, samples of crows found dead in four districts of Kashmir tested positive for bird flu.
Director Animal Husbandry, Kashmir, Purnima Mittal said that avian influenza has been reported in wild crows in four districts. “It’s a mild type of influenza, so far there has been no case of the influenza in the commercial poultry in any part of Kashmir.” She said officials are keeping a close watch on the situation.
Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, Shahid Iqbal Choudhary confirmed that avian influenza cases have been reported in Kashmir.
“In view of Avian Influenza cases reported in #Kashmir: Human or Poultry contact with Wild/Migratory birds (like feeding sources) needs to be strictly avoided. AHD teams are on job ~ Farms to Wetlands. Let’s be careful about bio-security,” tweeted Shahid Choudhary, deputy commissioner, Srinagar.
Deputy Commissioner, Anantnag, Anshul Garg also confirmed cases have been reported in crows. “Avian Flu Advisory quite relevant for #Anantnag as well. We need to remain cautious in view of confirmed cases in Crows.
Officials said that cases have been reported in crows in four districts – Pulwama, Anantnag, Kulgam and Budgam.
Nodal officer for Avain Flu in Kashmir division, Dr Mushtaq Shah told a news agency KNO that few suspected wild birds have been found positive and they have been sent to Bhopal for final confirmation.
He said that no case of bird flu has been reported among poultry birds but people must follow precautions like wear masks, wash hands frequently.
“As per government directions, our rapid response teams are on the ground and surveillance is being done within one km radius from the spot where cases were reported. Samples from nearby poultry farms are also being taken,” Shah said.
He said that people can use poultry products if it is cooked well, however, there is a need to follow precautions in letter and spirit.
A leading poultry farm owner of Jammu said, bird-flu has only been confirmed in crows and migratory birds in four districts of Kashmir while poultry products were declared safe.
On January 7, the Jammu and Kashmir administration had banned the import of poultry after the Centre had issued advisories asking local authorities to keep a close vigil to contain the spread of avian influenza or bird flu.
The new order stated that the importers and suppliers must provide a certificate from the district veterinary officer or chief animal husbandry officer of the concerned district of the state stating that the source of poultry is not from any infected or suspected area and also not within 10 kilometres radius of the notified bird flu-infected zone.
Pertinently, Union Ministry of Animal husbandry has said that bird flu has been confirmed in 12 states (Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Delhi, Rajasthan, Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab) for Crow/Migratory/ Wild birds.
