Baramulla reports first case of Avian Influenza

Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Jan 29: After bird flu cases were reported from 4 districts of Kashmir, Baramulla today reported its first case of the Avian Flu confirmed by The ICAR-National Institute of High-Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD), Bhopal.
An order issued in this regard here by the district administration Baramulla stated that the Director Animal Husbandry has intimidated that a sample of dead crow from Hardshiva Sopore has been declared positive for Avian Influenza Virus (H5N8).
“…it has been recommended that surveillance of the affected areas be intensified besides declaring the epicentre as Alert Zone to check the spread of influenza,” the order read.
As a preventive measure and to contain the spread of the virus, the administration has also declared the 10 KM radius of the epicentre which is Hardshiva as ‘Alert Zone’ and has asked the concerned department to keep the entire areas under surveillance and conduct random sampling within one km of the epicentre.
“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…Surveillance of poultry may also be intensified in the area,”
Tehsildar and the concerned SHO have been ordered to keep strict vigil in the area and ensure that the advisory issued by the department is strictly adhered to.