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Bird flu alert in Bhitarkanika
Express News Service
First Published : 27 Nov 2008 01:34:49 PM IST
Last Updated :
KENDRAPARA: The Forest and Veterinary officials have sounded alert in Bhitarkanika after large numbers of migratory birds started arriving in the national park with the onset on winter.
The officials have also taken precautionary steps to detect any sick birds in the park and its nearby areas, said Dr Keshaba Chandra Mohanty, Chief District Veterinary Officer (CDVO).
Two years back, two scientists from Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) examined a few migratory and local birds to detect the presence of flu virus. But they could not find any trace of it, said the officer.
The forest officials have also sounded a flu alert in the heronry of the park where lakhs of migratory avian species have already arrived.
The Forest and Veterinary officials distributed leaflets and booklets among the villagers near the park to create awareness about the bird flu, said the forest officer.
Forest and veterinary officials are also keeping a watchful eye on migratory birds like bar-headed geese, Bramihin Duck, plovers and other migratory species as they were found carrying H5NI strain of avian influenza in past.
??Last year we collected blood and stool samples of about 300 avian species and sent the samples to Animal Disease Research Institute (ADRI), Bhubaneswar. Later, the officials of ADRI sent the samples to High Security Animal Disease Laboratory (HSADL) in Bhopal. However, the scientists of HSADL could not find any flu affected birds in Bhitarkanika. This year we will also collect blood samples of 300 birds shortly. We have also trained 40 poultry farm owners to detect sick hens,?? said Mohanty.
Bird flu alert in Bhitarkanika
Express News Service
First Published : 27 Nov 2008 01:34:49 PM IST
Last Updated :
KENDRAPARA: The Forest and Veterinary officials have sounded alert in Bhitarkanika after large numbers of migratory birds started arriving in the national park with the onset on winter.
The officials have also taken precautionary steps to detect any sick birds in the park and its nearby areas, said Dr Keshaba Chandra Mohanty, Chief District Veterinary Officer (CDVO).
Two years back, two scientists from Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) examined a few migratory and local birds to detect the presence of flu virus. But they could not find any trace of it, said the officer.
The forest officials have also sounded a flu alert in the heronry of the park where lakhs of migratory avian species have already arrived.
The Forest and Veterinary officials distributed leaflets and booklets among the villagers near the park to create awareness about the bird flu, said the forest officer.
Forest and veterinary officials are also keeping a watchful eye on migratory birds like bar-headed geese, Bramihin Duck, plovers and other migratory species as they were found carrying H5NI strain of avian influenza in past.
??Last year we collected blood and stool samples of about 300 avian species and sent the samples to Animal Disease Research Institute (ADRI), Bhubaneswar. Later, the officials of ADRI sent the samples to High Security Animal Disease Laboratory (HSADL) in Bhopal. However, the scientists of HSADL could not find any flu affected birds in Bhitarkanika. This year we will also collect blood samples of 300 birds shortly. We have also trained 40 poultry farm owners to detect sick hens,?? said Mohanty.