Bird flu or Avian influenza outbreak has spread to four states in the country, which have reported confirmed cases of the disease, with some districts of Kerala culling birds to stop the spread of the virus.
Few states, including Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, and Himachal Pradesh, recently witnessed unusual deaths of poultry, crows and migratory birds, the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying said in an official statement on Thursday.The Centre has asked local authorities to boost surveillance around water bodies, live bird markets, zoos and poultry farms.
Meanwhile, Delhi’s Husbandry department has been put on a high alert due to the increasing number of bird flu cases in the neighbouring states.So far, there are no cases of its transmission into humans, as per reports. The human-to-human transfer of avian influenza is ‘very rare’ and it has no connection with the novel coronavirus.
However, those working in the poultry farms should take necessary precautions like wearing PPE kits while working in the farm.
The current bird flu outbreak comes barely a few months after India on 30 September last year declared the country free from the disease.