The government Friday said that a type of Avian Influenza – Notifiable Avian Influenza (H5N8)- was found in a sample of dead crows in Sopore area of Baramulla.
The sample was collected from Hardushiva area of Sopore in the north Kashmir district.
In a letter to district administration Baramulla, the Director Animal Husbandry Kashmir has intimated that a sample of dead crow from Hardushiva Sopore was declared positive for Avian Influenza virus by National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD) of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
In wake of this, the directorate has recommended intensifying the surveillance of the affected areas besides declaring the epicenter as alert zone to check the spread of the influenza.
The district administration Baramulla has also issued an order and declared Hardishiva Sopore as alert zone within the radius of 10 km from the epicenter.
“The Animal Husbandry department will keep the whole area under surveillance and conduct random sampling within 1 km of the epicenter,” the order reads.
The administration has also issued instructions to follow in order to avoid further spread of the disease.
“Chief Animal Husbandry Officer Baramulla, Wildlife Warden North and Divisional Forest Officer, Kamraj will intensify surveillance within the notified zones and also conduct random sampling of organised poultry farms and backyard poultry units within the alert zone,” the order reads.
The district administration has also directed to keep a vigil on other birds besides strengthening the bio-security and disinfection in the entire area where the mortality in birds has been reported.
“The process should be carried out in collaboration with the Forest department,” the order reads, adding that the dead birds, if any, should be disposed of by deep burial.
“For sample collection and testing, the whole bird may be sent to lab, dead birds should not be opened without ensuring bio-safety and zoo-sanitary measures,” the order reads.
Instructions have been given to intensify the surveillance of poultry in the area.
“To prevent spread of disease to poultry and human beings the guidelines already circulated by the Animal husbandry department may be adhered to in letter and spirit,” the order reads.
In the order, the Forest and Wildlife department have been asked to make all necessary measures to prevent the spread of disease.
“An updated report in respect of the aforesaid area and epicentre shall be sent immediately to the Animal Husbandry department as well as to the district administration,” it reads.
The concerned Tehsildar and SHO have been instructed to keep a strict vigil in the area and ensure the advisory is adhered to in letter and spirit.
“They will remain in contact with nodal officer bird flu (Poultry Development Officer, Baramulla) on phone number 7780958162,” the order reads.