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BSF to stop poultry being brought from Burma April 21, 2007 - India has directed its Border Security Force to prevent people bringing in poultry illegally from Burma as part of a vigil against bird flu, a top official said in New Delhi.
Burma has had several outbreaks of H5N1 cases since February 2007.
"New Delhi has increased surveillance for avian influenza on the Indo- Myanmar (Burma) border after reported outbreaks of the highly pathogenic H5N1 virus over the past two months in the neighbouring country," said India's Animal Husbandry Secretary Charusheela Sohoni.
"We have spoken to the Border Security Force through the Home Ministry to stop people carrying poultry or meat products from Maynmar," Sohoni said.
"We are naturally keeping a close watch on our neighbours as backyard poultry poses some problems since it is scattered, Sohoni said.
"However, there is no cause for alarm. Our information distribution has improved. We are prepared and are confident we will be able to tackle an outbreak if it occurs," she said.
"The Animal Husbandry department had stepped up poultry testing in recent weeks, especially in areas near Myanmar and had roped in local village leaders to monitor poultry," the Animal Husbandry Secretary said.
"We have asked officials and poultry farmers in states bordering Myanmar to monitor any unusual mortality among chickens or ducks," Sohoni said.
"Officials are also asked to distribute leaflets in the border regions, asking people to remain alert against bird flu and increasing the number of TV spots on the issue," she added.
It is estimated, India has about 490 million chickens. It's backyard poultry account for around 40 per cent of the sector.
International agencies had praised India for its handling of bird flu outbreak in western India in August last year. India had culled one million birds to contain the outbreak and was quick to pay compensation to farmers and poultry farms that were affected.
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Burma has had several outbreaks of H5N1 cases since February 2007.
"New Delhi has increased surveillance for avian influenza on the Indo- Myanmar (Burma) border after reported outbreaks of the highly pathogenic H5N1 virus over the past two months in the neighbouring country," said India's Animal Husbandry Secretary Charusheela Sohoni.
"We have spoken to the Border Security Force through the Home Ministry to stop people carrying poultry or meat products from Maynmar," Sohoni said.
"We are naturally keeping a close watch on our neighbours as backyard poultry poses some problems since it is scattered, Sohoni said.
"However, there is no cause for alarm. Our information distribution has improved. We are prepared and are confident we will be able to tackle an outbreak if it occurs," she said.
"The Animal Husbandry department had stepped up poultry testing in recent weeks, especially in areas near Myanmar and had roped in local village leaders to monitor poultry," the Animal Husbandry Secretary said.
"We have asked officials and poultry farmers in states bordering Myanmar to monitor any unusual mortality among chickens or ducks," Sohoni said.
"Officials are also asked to distribute leaflets in the border regions, asking people to remain alert against bird flu and increasing the number of TV spots on the issue," she added.
It is estimated, India has about 490 million chickens. It's backyard poultry account for around 40 per cent of the sector.
International agencies had praised India for its handling of bird flu outbreak in western India in August last year. India had culled one million birds to contain the outbreak and was quick to pay compensation to farmers and poultry farms that were affected.
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