Odisha on high alert to tackle bird flu

Odisha has been put on a high alert following confirmation by central laboratory about the bird flu in two dead fowls in Khurda district.

Experts expressed their apprehension that a large scale bird flu attack may follow the incident.

Initially, this infection was found in Khurdha district only, but now a blood sample from Mayurbhanj, a district bordering West Bengal, was also confirmed positive on Tuesday.

Apprehending the spread of the disease, the Odisha government has declared high alert in all 30 districts of the state.

Satyabrata Sahu, Secretary of Fisheries and Animal Resources Department told TSI, “We have asked the administrations of all the 30 districts to collect blood samples from the birds suspected to be carrying the H5N1 virus and send that to laboratory for test.”

Apart from Khurda, the virus has been also confirmed in Mayurbhanja district. As such, the experts do not rule out the spread of bird flu to other areas of the state.

Administration and experts has also kept close eye on Balasore district of Odisha, which share border with neighboring West Bengal and also Mayurbhanj district.

While briefing the media, Satyabrata Sahu, said, “Two central teams, one from Bhopal and another from Kolkata, have arrived to observe and control the situation. These teams are now conducting rapid action training for more than 80 officials of the state government to command control over the situation.”

Further, Khurda district administration has been directed to monitor the health condition of all the birds. Earlier, a high level meeting was convened by District Magistrate Rupa Mishra to monitor the situation. She briefed that the administration is ready to meet any challenge.

Recently, a team of 80 doctors - 50 from Bolangir and 30 from capital - have been kept ready to tackle the situation. Along with it, as a preventive measure, export of birds from the infested area has also been stopped by the administration.

Meanwhile, the government has directed all the District Collectors to remain alert and collect samples from birds that have flu-like symptoms.

Officials at the Chilika Lake and Bhitarkanika wildlife sanctuary, where a large numbers of migratory birds congregate during winter, have been told to keep watch on the migratory birds.

However, no positive virus of bird flu has been found in migratory birds at Chilika Lake, official sources informed.