New Delhi, January 06: After several states and Union Territories reported the spread of Bird Flu, the Central government has issued a high alert, and asked states and UT's to take all possible steps to contain the spread of Bird Flu on an urgent basis.

 

The Centre also has warned of the possibility of the spread of the disease to humans and other domesticated animals and birds.

 

The state has been asked to take up surveillance and monitoring of birds for any signs of the disease and take appropriate measures for controlling it on priority. These committees are to collaborate with the State Veterinary Departments in the collection of samples and to keep proper vigil.

 

This came after the ICAR-National Institute of High-Security Animal Diseases in Bhopal detected avian flu in samples from a large number of migratory birds found dead in the Pong Dam Lake in Himachal Pradesh.

 

The Kerala government has declared bird flu as a 'State-Specific Disaster' in Kerala. The LDF government also issued a high alert in the state. They have confirmed an outbreak of bird flu in certain parts of the Kottayam and Alappuzha districts.

 

Apart from Kerala, Madhya Pradesh has also sounded an alert after nearly 400 crows were found dead in 10 districts, including Indore.

 

It should be noted, Bird Flu was first reported in Rajasthan's Jhalawar district where nearly 50 crows within a kilometer dropped dead. The flu had forced authorities to impose Section 144 in the area while a Rapid Response Team was also deployed. After Rajasthan, Kerala, and Madhya Pradesh, the northern state of Himachal Pradesh also reported cases of bird flu.

 

 

In Haryana, around one lakh poultry birds have died mysteriously in the last few days. In Himachal Pradesh’s Pong Dam Lake, around 1,800 migratory birds have been found dead. In Kerala, the flu has been detected in two districts, prompting authorities to order the culling of ducks.

 

 

It is a highly contagious viral disease caused by Influenza Type A viruses which generally affects poultry birds such as chickens and turkeys. The viruses are common amongst aquatic birds worldwide and domestic poultry including certain animal species are extremely susceptible to the virus.

 

Avian flu viruses do not normally infect humans. However, sporadic human infections with avian flu viruses have occurred. Bird flu is similar to swine flu, dog flu, horse flu, and human flu as an illness caused by strains of influenza viruses that have adapted to a specific host.

 

The virus was first detected in 1996 in a Chinese goose and the first case of human infection was reported in 1997 in Hong Kong. Since then, cases of Avian Flu have been reported in more than 50 countries across Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Middle East.