Avian Flu | Himachal Pradesh 1800 migratory birds dead in Pong Dam area in Himachal Pradesh; state on high alert
Shimla/UNI: Himachal Pradesh has received an alert from the Centre, after initial confirmation of bird flu among the migratory birds in Pong dam as nearly 1800 birds have reportedly died of the outbreak, said Principal Chief Conservator of Wildlife Archana Sharma on Monday.
However, the Avian influenza does not spread from one human being to another like Novel Coronavirus and other influenza viruses, but it can be transferred from birds to human beings, she said, adding that the state wildlife authority has also issued an alert in the Veterinary department to take necessary precautions.
Today, the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) in Bareilly of UP indicated the possible cause of death of the birds due to Avian Influenza, also called Bird Flu, she added.
The State Wildlife Authority was already on alert to scan the outbreak and sent samples of the dead birds to various Veterinary labs in the country.
Kangra Deputy Commissioner Rakesh Kumar Prajapati on Monday prohibited slaughtering, sale, purchase and export of any poultry, birds, fish of any breed and their related products, including eggs, meat and chicken in Fatehpur, Dehra, Jawali and Indora sub-divisions of the district.
Exercising his powers under Section 34 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, the DM further ordered closure of shops selling these products in these four sub-divisions.
The DC also banned movement of locals, tourists and other humans within one km radius of Pong Dam. The entire Pong Dam Bird Sanctuary area was declared a containment zone for the outbreak. No human and domestic livestock activities shall be allowed in and around 1 km of Pong dam reservoirs till further order (Alert Zone). Nine km of alert zone would be the surveillance zone, wherein the departments shall keep strict vigil and watch. All tourist activities shall be suspended on the dam reservoir still further order, said the DM.
The police force should be deployed for assistance to enforce the required measures and necessary action.
About one week ago, birds were found dead in the Dhameta and Nagrota wildlife ranges of the state, spreading panic among the levels.
Dhameta range reported the sudden death of Bar-Headed Geese and one Common Teal in Fatehpur area. So far, the Wild Authority recovered the carcass of 1773 birds from the Pong Dam areas and the operation to fish out more bodies was continuing.
The identification of dead migratory birds showed that around 95 per cent of the victims were Bar Headed Geese.
The first case of human infection by Avian Influenza viruses (H5N1) was observed in 1997 in Hong Kong. After this, a large number of outbreaks have been reported in different parts of the world.
The health experts warned that it could spread in various species of birds, including humans, leading to a pandemic threat.
Since 2013, there have been 1,568 confirmed human cases and 616 deaths worldwide from the H7N9 strain of Avian Flu, according to the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations.
The common precautions of H5N1 include washing hands often with warm water and soap, especially before and after handling food, in particular raw poultry.
Second precaution is to use different utensils for cooked and raw meat. Besides, meat should be cooked till steaming hot.
Last precaution to exercise is to avoid contact with live birds and poultry, the DM noted.
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