After the confirmation of bird flu in the country, alert has been issued to the Forest and Wildlife Department of Chandigarh. Field employees have been told to inform the department immediately if any bird dies in the forest area. The Animal Husbandry Department has also been instructed to increase surveillance in its area and keep a watch on the hens.
According to officials, if a dead bird is found, the administration will collect samples in the city. The samples will be sent to the National Institute of High Security Animal Disease Laboratory in Bhopal for examination.
Zoos across the country were put on alert on Tuesday after the bird flu outbreak in the region.
After the highly infectious Asian avian influenza (H5N1) led to the death of more than 2,500 migratory birds in Pong Dam wetland in Himachal’s Kangra district besides 1 lakh poultry birds in Haryana’s Barwala belt in Panchkula district suspected to be due to the virus, the Union ministry of environment, forests and climate change sounded the alert among zoos with the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) rolling out an advisory on January 4, directing the authorities to remain vigilant for animals showing symptoms.
Mass bird deaths were reported in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh which prompted authorities to take remedial measures, issue alerts, and enhance surveillance. Officials said 175 crows and other birds were reported dead across Rajasthan on Monday alone. In neighbouring Madhya Pradesh, over 500 crows have died over the last week.
Earlier, city witnessed bird flu in 2014
Bird flu was also confirmed in 2014 in the city as ducks were dying in Sukhna Lake. Samples were sent first to Jalandhar and then to Bhopal, where bird flu was confirmed. Subsequently, the administration laid siege to Sukhna Lake and banned entry, boating and tourism activities as a precautionary measure.
Police personnel wearing masks were also deployed in the area and all the ducks of the lake were killed as precaution. It is worth noting that every year migratory birds visit Sukhna Lake. Hence, the forest department has started taking steps as a precaution.
Symptoms To Look Out For
*Affected birds display symptoms such as tremors, diarrhoea, head tilt and paralysis.
* The disease spreads quickly causing paralysis and staggering. *The virus is transmitted between affected poultry and recently from poultry to wild birds and vice-a-versa.
