Officials say that an Action Plan has also been prepared to contain the spread of the virus
With the growing number of cases of bird flu being reported in the national Capital, authorities are now mulling over whether to kill birds of the affected species to restrain its further spread.
Senior government officials said that while the spread of the Avian Influenza virus has currently only been restricted to Rosy Pelicans, Ducks, and Painted Storks, the Delhi government has now prepared an action plan to contain the spread of the virus.
As per the ‘Action plan of animal husbandry for preparedness control and containment of Avian Influenza’ issued by the Centre in 2015, certain steps have to be taken mandatorily to prevent the spread of the virus. “The Animal Husbandry and Public Health Department of State Government are supposed to set up a control room and constitution of Rapid Response Teams (RRTs). It should also set up an infected zone of one-kilometre radius from the epicentre for the culling of the affected birds,” said a Delhi government official. He added, “Setting up a surveillance zone of 1-10 kilometres for medicines/disinfectants is also mandatory as per the guidelines.”
A total of 24 birds have died since October 14, leading to a possible viral spread scare in the national Capital. Sources said that a total of three bird deaths have been confirmed to be cases of bird flu so far.
Delhi government’s Development minister Gopal Rai said that while the latest samples of the dead birds (ducks) has been sent to the Central lab in Bhopal for testing, the government has set up six multiple teams at major poultry markets in the city.
“The culling of birds will be taken up if the virus is found in more such birds. The H5N8 virus is not fatal to humans. Although as a precautionary step we have sent all the samples to Bhopal and have already begun spraying disinfectant and anti-virus at the epicentre of the diseases,” said Rai.
Previously, the state government of Karnataka had culled more than 1.3 lakh chickens at a farm in Kidar district in May earlier this year. In Haryana, culling of more than 100 ducks was ordered in Chandigarh’s Sukhna Lake in December 2014 after samples indicated the presence of the H5N1 virus in some of the birds.
Meanwhile, sources in the animal husbandry department said that if the teams at poultry markets find positive samples, no poultry will be allowed to enter the national Capital.
“We have already communicated the current status of the bird flu virus to the other states. Multiple teams have been deployed at poultry markets to ensure thorough check up of the birds, although if samples are found positive of the virus, poultry import will be seized immediately,” said a senior government official.
Bird Flu Crisis: SC attacks Govt
The SC has attacked the AAP government for its failure to handle the bird flu crisis in the city. Accusing the government of not being proactive it said, "Delhi Government should not just react to situations but also think of the future," the bench said citing media reports about the closure of Deer Park due to recent cases of bird deaths there. The Court's remark came after the AAP government’s counsel submitted that the government was doing its duty.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "New Delhi, Bird Flu, H5N8, Rapid Response Teams (RRTs), Gopal Rai,")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}