11,000 Samples Test Negative For Bird Flu In Odisha

Bhubaneswar: The state government has collected around 11,000 samples and tested those for Avian Influenza during the current bird migratory season. All samples have tested negative for the disease. Around 300 samples were collected on Thursday.

Stating this in an update, Fisheries and Animal Resources Development department said since migratory birds are the carriers of the Avian Influenza which spreads through faecal droppings, shared feed and drinking water of the birds, the government is continuously observing any unnatural deaths and behavior of birds at the places frequented by these birds.

In Odisha, water bodies like Chilika lake, Anshupa lake, Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary and Hirakud Dam are the places where there is concentration of migratory birds.

An action plan on preparedness, control and containment of bird flu along with Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) has been circulated to all districts and the Chief District Veterinary Officers (CDVOs) have been instructed to follow it scrupulously. Besides, district collectors and Divisional Forest Officers (DFOs) have been requested to take all possible steps for controlling it on priority.

Regular surveillance measures are being taken up through collection of tracheal swabs, cloacal swabs, environmental samples and serum samples of the birds by field veterinarians.

Animal Disease Research Institute (ADRI) at State level, Clinical Investigation Laboratory (CIL) and State Veterinary Laboratory (SVL) at regional level and District Diagnostic Laboratory (DDL) at district level has been geared up with full strength for collection and testing of the samples. The samples are also sent to the Regional Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (RDDL) at Kolkata.

Nine special supervisory teams have been constituted at state level to immediately proceed to any suspected location of Avian Influenza. Further, the CDVOs have been directed to constitute 10 to 15 Rapid Response Teams (RRT) at the district level for prompt response to any reports of suspected case.

Allaying the fear of bird flu, the department said it is in total readiness to control any situation arising out of this. It requested the people not to panic and consume chicken meat, eggs and other poultry products with proper cooking.