Bird flu: Centre sets up control room after 12 epicentres of outbreak detected

With the outbreak of bird flu being suspected from various states due to sudden mysterious deaths of birds, the Centre on Wednesday set up a central control room in New Delhi to keep watch on the situation and to take stock of the preventive and control measures undertaken by state authorities.

Government also identified 12 epicentres of the present outbreak of Avian Influenza in Baran, Kota, Jhalawar in Rajasthan and Mandsaur, Indore, Malwa in Madhya Pradesh among crows, in Kangra in Himachal Pradesh among migratory birds and in Kottayam and Alappuzha in Kerala among poultry ducks.

Also read — Bird flu: Karnataka puts districts bordering Kerala on high alert

In a statement, the Union Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying said that other states have been asked to keep a vigil on any unusual mortality amongst birds.

The central government, which has in last one week issued three advisories--to Rajasthan and MP on January 1st and Himachal Pradesh on January 5 to avoid further spread of the infection, particularly the spread of disease to poultry, has asked them to identify the high risk zones and undertake surveillance among human habitations in the high risk zones and affected villages.

Among the measures suggested by the Centre to the affected states to contain the disease and prevent further spread as per the Action Plan on Avian Influenza include strengthening the biosecurity of poultry farms, disinfection of affected areas, proper disposal of dead birds/carcasses, timely collection and submission of samples for confirmation and further surveillance, intensification of surveillance plan as well as the general guidelines for prevention of disease spread from affected birds to poultry and humans.

Also read — Bird flu scare: Transport of poultry, birds restricted

The Centre has also advised the states to coordinate with the forest department for reporting any unusual mortality of birds and to report immediately to take necessary measures. The statement by the government came a day after a number of states on Tuesday sounded an alert to contain the H5N8 strain of bird flu and sent samples for testing.

Though the government said there is no direct evidence that Avian Influenza viruses can be transmitted to humans via the consumption of contaminated poultry products, Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan in his missive to the Additional Chief Secretary of Madhya Pradesh chose to caution "As Aviation Influenza infection is highly pathogenic and can transmit to human beings, all measures need to be taken to minimise and prevent infections."

Also read — Kerala bird flu outbreak reported to be under control

While flagging that till date there are no reported human cases of Avian Influenza in India due to existing strong surveillance system and immediate response by States/UTs, Bhushan emphasised it is "absolutely critical that appropriate measures for effective containment among bird/poultry population and active surveillance in human population" are ensured.

The government in an official statement said there is no direct evidence that Avian Influenza viruses can be transmitted to humans via the consumption of contaminated poultry products,but also cautioned, "the secondary spread by human handling (through fomites) cannot be ruled out." Fomites are inanimate objects, which may act as agents for the spread of pathogens through indirect contact.

The outbreak in the latter has created fear, which could lead to closure of poultry farms in various states as the sale of poultry products could record a steep fall as has happened historically in the past. The current bird flu outbreak has been reported barely a few months after India in September 30, 2020 declared the country free from the disease.

Madhya Pradesh has meanwhile banned chicken trade with a few southern states for a limited period as a precautionary measure.

After Indore, bird flu has been confirmed as the cause of mass death of crows in Mandsaur and Agar Malwa districts of Madhya Pradesh. A total of 155 dead crows in Indore have been found with the H5N8 virus since the pathogen was first detected in the state's commercial hub a week back. Since December 23, 2020, about 400 avian deaths have been reported across 10 districts of Madhya Pradesh.

Several states on Tuesday sounded an alert to contain the H5N8 strain of bird flu and sent samples for testing while Kerala began culling chickens and ducks. Karnataka and Tamil Nadu stepped up surveillance and formed guidelines following the outbreak of the viral infection in neighbouring Kerala.