Centre confirms Avian Influenza in crows in J&K

TNN Bureau. Updated: 1/23/2021 10:36:24 AM Front Page

Authorities lift ban on import of poultry in UT

Srinagar: The Central government on Friday confirmed Avian Influenza in Crows in Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
As per the statement of Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying as of 22nd January, Avian Influenza for Crow/Migratory and Wild Birds have been confirmed in 11 states which include Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Delhi, Rajasthan, Punjab and in Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
Reports said that samples were sent from both Jammu and Kashmir division. Whereas, earlier this week more than 150 samples were sent from Jammu division which was tested negative. However, the samples sent from four districts of Kashmir have been tested positive.
The four districts in Kashmir were Avian Influenza in Crows is confirmed include Kulgam, Anantnag, Budgam and Pulwama.
Meanwhile, Department of Animal, Sheep Husbandry and Fisheries Department have lifted the ban on the import of Poultry into UT of J&K sourced from non-infected areas. Avian Influenza (Bird flu) have been confirmed in 9 States which include Kerala, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab for poultry birds
In an order issued by Navin K Choudhary, Principal Secretary to Government earlier this week, which reads, "In view of stringent surveillance the mechanism in place for containment and spread of Bird Flu in the Country and the instructions as conveyed by the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India, there will be no ban on import of live birds including poultry and unprocessed poultry meat for any purpose into J&K sourced from non-infected areas and beyond the 10 kilometres radius of Bird Flu infected zone w.e.f 19 January 2021".
"However, it mandatory for the importers and suppliers to provide a certificate from District Veterinary Officer/ Chief Animal Husbandry Officer of the concerned district of the sourced State/UT that the source of poultry is not from any infected area/suspected area and also not within 10 kilometres radius of notified Bird Flu infected zone", it added.
"Director Animal Husbandry Kashmir will set up a robust surveillance centre at Lower Munda to lift samples from each vehicle carrying poultry for testing and Director Animal Husbandry Jammu will further strengthen the surveillance system including testing of samples from each consignment at Lakhanpur" reads the order.
"Further, all Chief Animal Husbandry Officers will make a system to visit poultry importers, poultry farms and sale points on daily basis for surveillance purpose." The government had earlier banned the imports as soon bird flu scare started and has lifted it when six states including neighbouring Punjab confirmed avian influenza in poultry", it added.


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