India: Assam, AVIAN INFLUENZA A/H5N1 IN POULTRY (December 2008+)

[HenryN]

Re: India: Assam, AVIAN INFLUENZA A/H5N1 IN POULTRY (December 2008+)

Dimapur, DEC18 [NPN] : With avian flu spreading like wildfire in Assam where more than three lakh affected poultry birds have been culled, cases of outbreak reported in nearly Karbi Anglong highlights the strong suspicion that the disease has already arrived Dimapur and nearby areas more than a week ago.


According to reports, many poultry birds have been affected in Dimapur particularly in the colonies bordering Karbi Anglong. It was reported that many poultry birds have died during the past week in the areas. The bird flu virus can change inside of a human body or an animal?s body ? swine, for instance, that is medically closest to human.

According to a report about the possibility of avian flu transmission to human,it was stated that if bird flu and human flu combine, the strain formed out of the two combinations could result in its spread from human to human. Meanwhile, according to PTI: More poultry deaths were reported Tuesday in Assam where avian influenza spread to another district, taking the count of affected districts in the state to seven, even as some crows tested positive for the H5N1 strain. Blood samples of the crows found dead in Chatribari area here were confirmed as H5N1 positive by laboratories in Bhopal and Pune, sources said.

The laboratories also confirmed that avian influenza had spread to three more areas in Assam, hitting seven districts so far with culling operations on in three. Director of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary A Kakati said three samples sent from Sariha village in Barpeta, Kheluamara village in Bongaigaon and Kharguli in Guwahati to the Bhopal-based High Security Diagnostic Laboratory had tested positive. With this, the number of bird flu affected epicentres increased from six to nine in seven districts, Kakati said. Fresh cases of unusual bird deaths were reported from Karbi Anglong, Nagaon, Lakhimpur, Sibsagar and Golaghat districts.

http://nagarealm.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=6749​

 

[HenryN]

Re: India: Assam, AVIAN INFLUENZA A/H5N1 IN POULTRY (December 2008+)

Avian flu outbreak feared in Dimapur
Dimapur, Dec 18(NPN):
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Article published on 12/19/2008 12:18:04 AM IST Font Size:


With avian flu spreading like wildfire in Assam where more than three lakh affected poultry birds have been culled, cases of outbreak reported in nearly Karbi Anglong highlights the strong suspicion that the disease has already arrived Dimapur and nearby areas more than a week ago.
According to reports, many poultry birds have been affected in Dimapur particularly in the colonies bordering Karbi Anglong. It was reported that many poultry birds have died during the past week in the areas. The bird flu virus can change inside of a human body or an animal?s body ? swine, for instance, that is medically closest to human.
According to a report about the possibility of avian flu transmission to human,it was stated that if bird flu and human flu combine, the strain formed out of the two combinations could result in its spread from human to human.
Meanwhile, according to PTI: More poultry deaths were reported Tuesday in Assam where avian influenza spread to another district, taking the count of affected districts in the state to seven, even as some crows tested positive for the H5N1 strain. Blood samples of the crows found dead in Chatribari area here were confirmed as H5N1 positive by laboratories in Bhopal and Pune, sources said.
The laboratories also confirmed that avian influenza had spread to three more areas in Assam, hitting seven districts so far with culling operations on in three. Director of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary A Kakati said three samples sent from Sariha village in Barpeta, Kheluamara village in Bongaigaon and Kharguli in Guwahati to the Bhopal-based High Security Diagnostic Laboratory had tested positive. With this, the number of bird flu affected epicentres increased from six to nine in seven districts, Kakati said. Fresh cases of unusual bird deaths were reported from Karbi Anglong, Nagaon, Lakhimpur, Sibsagar and Golaghat districts.

http://www.nagalandpost.com/ShowStory.aspx?npoststoryiden=UzEwMDYyMzA=-28EnaDh/ifw=

 

[Shiloh]

Re: India: Assam, AVIAN INFLUENZA A/H5N1 IN POULTRY (December 2008+)

Source: http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=45922

Status Report on Avian Influenza in Assam and West Bengal as on 18.12.08
15:35 IST

WEST BENGAL

Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, GOI has notified Avian Influenza Outbreak in Englishbazar block, Malda District of West Bengal on 15.12.2008. Containment measures have been instituted and microplan has been developed. The active surveillance in 0-3 Km has started to cover a total population of 33,065 in 0-3 Km area. 94 health workers have been deployed for active surveillance. Isolation ward in Malda district hospital has been identified.

The State Govt has been provided with ventilators, PPE and Oseltamivir during the last outbreak the stock of which is available with them. Additional 5000 capsules of Tamiflu has been kept at Regional Director office of MOHFW, Kolkata. Culling activity has started. 127 animal health workers are under chemoprophylaxis.

ASSAM

Department of Animal Husbandry had notified avian influenza in Block Gobardhana, Barpeta District and Block West Nalbari, Nalbari District (on 4.12.08) in Rani and Rampur block of Kamrup district (01.12.2008) and Hajo block of Kamrup district (27.11.08). Outbreaks have also been notified on 10.12.2008 in Block Sidli Chirang [District Chirang] and Bezera, Guwahati Municipality [District Kamrup] and Dibrugarh Municipality [District Dibrugarh].

Further outbreaks have been notified on 16.12.2008 in Bojali block [District Barpeta], Boitamari block [District Bongaigaon] and Guwahati Block/Municipality [District Kamrup (Metro)]. Central RRTs already stationed in these districts would cover the containment operations.

Brief of containment operations

? Culling activities has been completed in blocks of Hajo and Rani/ Azara in Kamrup district. Culling activities are on in other epicenters. A total of 11,234 birds were culled [cumulative 3,80,169].

? A total of 564 Animal Health workers were deployed for the culling activity. They are on Chemoprophylaxis.

Surveillance

? Central government has deployed RRTs in all epicenters. They are working with the state RRT teams.

? Active house to house surveillance is being followed in 0-3 km zone in all epicenters and in 3-10 km in phases. A population of 1,94,876 was covered in 0-3 Km area and 2,26,975 in 3-10 km area.

? 130 cases of Upper Respiratory Infection [URI] with fever were detected [78 in 0-3 Km and 52 in 3-10 Km]. None of them had history of handling dead or sick birds.

? 104 cases of URI with fever in the outpatient in the identified health facilities.

? 1357 health workers were deployed for surveillance.

? Available details of epicenter-wise surveillance is at annexure-I.

DS/GK/flue report/425

 

[Shiloh]

Re: India: Assam, AVIAN INFLUENZA A/H5N1 IN POULTRY (December 2008+)

Source: http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=45954

No New Bird Flu Cases Reported

OVER ONE CRORE RUPEE COMPENSATION PAID TO POULTRY FARMERS
18:11 IST
There is no further report from the High Security Animal Disease Laboratory (HSADL), Bhopal of any sample testing positive in any part of the country, including Assam and West Bengal.

There is no further report of unusual mortality of poultry in any part of the country, including Assam and West Bengal.

A total of 129 Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) were engaged in Assam on 18th December, 2008, which completed culling of 10,363 birds. The cumulative figure of culling of birds so far in Assam is 3.91 lakh. On 18.12.2008, a total of 30 RRTs were deployed for culling operation in Malda district, West Bengal, which completed culling of 16,963 birds.

Out of 12 epicenters of infection in Assam, culling has been completed in 8 of them. An amount of Rs.1.24 crore (approx.) has been paid as compensation up to 18.12.2008 in Assam so far.

The culling at both the epicenters in West Bengal would be completed by 20th December, 2008 and the completion of sanitization is targetted for 25.12.2008. An amount of Rs. 4.99 lakh (approx.) has been paid as compensation up to 18.12.2008 in West Bengal so far.

 

[Shiloh]

Re: India: Assam, AVIAN INFLUENZA A/H5N1 IN POULTRY (December 2008+)

Source: http://www.newsonair.com/news.asp?cat=state&id=ST3024

Culling operations in Assam almost complete

Dec 19
In Assam, culling process of poultry in the bird flu affected locations is almost completed. Outbreak of the dreaded disease was confirmed in 12 locations of seven districts in the State.
The State Director of Veterinary Dr. Aswani Katoky told our Correspondent in Guwahati this evening that except in Sirang district, culling operation has been completed in all other locations. However, mopping and disinfection activities are on in those areas where culling has been completed.
Nearly five lakh poultry birds have been culled in the state as a precautionary measure.
Meanwhile, the State Government has formulated an alternative scheme to offset the losses suffered by families due to outbreak of bird flu in the avian influenza affected areas.
The State Commissioner for Veterinary Mr. Shyamlal Mewara told our Correspondent that under the programme a pair of goats or pigs would be provided to the affected families for their alternative source of livelihood. Subsidy on bank loan interests is also in the pipeline for the poultry farmers affected due to the culling operation.

 

[HenryN]

Re: India: Assam, AVIAN INFLUENZA A/H5N1 IN POULTRY (December 2008+)

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="85%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR bgColor=#eff0ef><TD vAlign=top align=middle colSpan=2>OVER ONE CRORE RUPEE COMPENSATION PAID TO POULTRY FARMERS <HR></TD></TR><TR bgColor=#eff0ef><TD style="TEXT-ALIGN: left" vAlign=top width=103 height=30>[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][/FONT]</TD><TD style="TEXT-ALIGN: right" vAlign=top width=347 height=30>[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]18:11 IST [/FONT]</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE width="90%" align=center><TBODY><TR><TD class=rel style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify">There is no further report from the High Security Animal Disease Laboratory (HSADL), Bhopal of any sample testing positive in any part of the country, including Assam and West Bengal.

There is no further report of unusual mortality of poultry in any part of the country, including Assam and West Bengal.

A total of 129 Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) were engaged in Assam on 18th December, 2008, which completed culling of 10,363 birds. The cumulative figure of culling of birds so far in Assam is 3.91 lakh. On 18.12.2008, a total of 30 RRTs were deployed for culling operation in Malda district, West Bengal, which completed culling of 16,963 birds.

Out of 12 epicenters of infection in Assam, culling has been completed in 8 of them. An amount of Rs.1.24 crore (approx.) has been paid as compensation up to 18.12.2008 in Assam so far.

The culling at both the epicenters in West Bengal would be completed by 20th December, 2008 and the completion of sanitization is targetted for 25.12.2008. An amount of Rs. 4.99 lakh (approx.) has been paid as compensation up to 18.12.2008 in West Bengal so far. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=45954

 

[Shiloh]

Re: India: Assam, AVIAN INFLUENZA A/H5N1 IN POULTRY (December 2008+)

Source: http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/details.asp?id=dec2008/at07

Migratory birds to be monitored
Staff reporter

GUWAHATI, Dec 19 ? Personnel of the State Forest Department have been issued instructions to keep an eye on migratory birds and to be especially aware of any change in their behaviour. This is in view of the some unauthenticated reports that wild birds could have acted as vectors of bird flu in Assam. There also have been incidents in the State in which people have sought to slaughter wild birds believing them to carriers of the bird flu virus.

Chief Wildlife Warden Assam, MC Malakar told The Assam Tribune that strict directives have been given to forest personnel, who would observe all migratory birds in the days ahead, and in case of any signs get in touch with personnel of the veterinary department.

The personnel have been asked to monitor signs of tremor, un-coordinated movements and loose stool. All these are among the symptoms of bird flu.

When asked if bird flu in migratory birds in India and neighbouring areas have been brought to his notice, he replied in the negative.

Front line forest personnel in Kaziranga National Park and a few other protected areas with water bodies have not reported any sightings of unusual behaviour in birds so far.

Even though migratory birds have not been held responsible for carrying bird flu in NE India, the state of alertness should not be lowered, he added.

In the worst-case scenario of migratory birds being found to be carriers of the bird flu virus, he revealed that if at all that happened, domestic poultry in adjoining areas would have to be quarantined to prevent the intermingling with wild species as there is little that could be done to restrict the movement of wild birds.

Migratory birds, including significant numbers of water birds, have touched down in water bodies of Assam and some parts of the North East since ancient times. Some of those are highly endangered and others wing through high altitude as they cross the Himalayan ranges to spend the winter in milder climates.

Worryingly, in a recent report Japanese and American studies have pointed to genetic evidence that wild migratory birds may carry the avian influenza virus between Asia and North America. Scientists of Tokyo University and US Fish and Wildlife service have found that migratory birds ?might be more important carriers of avian influenza than previously thought.?

 

[Sally Furniss]

Re: India: Assam, AVIAN INFLUENZA A/H5N1 IN POULTRY (December 2008+)

The benefits of common reaches cattleman services

Friday 19 Dec, 2008 09:04 PM Jaipur. Animal disease diagnostic laboratory in the state's utility and facilities provided by being aware of common stock raising programs for training, awareness camps and seminars through Apshupalcon consider the latest technical knowledge to be made accessible. This state of the animal disease diagnostic cattleman in the area of these features will benefit.

Mr Secretary animal husbandry major rule Lalit Kothari on Thursday in the auditorium of the temple regional livestock disease diagnostic center Jaldhar from research conducted in the north sector of the quarterly review meeting was addressing the officers of Animal Husbandry. The meeting in Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi and representatives of state service territory in the diagnosis of disease Jude departmental officers were present.

Dr Rajesh Sharma, director of animal husbandry in the meeting said that at this time called the''bird flu''susceptible disease problem. Surveillance of poultry from the more we need to work. He said that all district level departmental deputy directors also have released guidelines. Bird flu in the state,''''for protection from already link is being monitored. So far, samples from any state''is not showing signs of bird flu''. For the prevention of the disease are being budgetary provision. All of the animal disease diagnostic Pararion Pradesh to actively work to have been directed.

The meeting in the north sector of the nodal officer Dr H. S. Sandha said that the''bird flu''in Assam possibility of the spread of the disease, taking the view of the state of chickens to prevent bird flu disease, called for the action plan issued by the Government of India to ensure Crianviati Jave. He Bird flu survey of the disease and emphasized the need supervision.

Senior scientist Dr. Vinay Mohan suggested that the disease confirmed dead chickens to be done to salvage the scientific system of Jave. He said that poultry farms to the wall and floor of 3 percent calcium Haidroksasaid Dove so that the chemical solution must fully Sscrnman likely to be stopped.

On the occasion of the Government of India Ministry of Agriculture Deputy Commissioner Dr. M. K. Shah were also present.

http://www.pressnote.in/hindi/readnews.php?id=38833

 

[Treyfish]

Re: India: Assam, AVIAN INFLUENZA A/H5N1 IN POULTRY (December 2008+)

Assam focuses on reducing bird flu risk in humans
Guwahati, Dec 19:
Although culling operations are over in various parts of the state, Assam is now concentrating on reducing the risk of Bird Flu infection in the humans as cases of its relapse has been reported.
Official sources today informed that such cases had been reported from Barpeta district where culling operation was officially over.
Sources said so far, 265 people had fallen ill, adding they displaying flu-like symptoms with complaints of upper respiratory infection.
Although culling operations had been ended in the affected areas under nine districts of Assam, some traders were selling poultry products to the unaffected areas, which had become a cause of concern for the authorities, according to sources.
The veterinary officials informed that culling operations could not be completed satisfactorily in the Baska districts of lower Assam due to local religious sentiments.
Meanwhile, addressing the media here, the Prevention of Ethical Treatment to Animals(PETA) officials today blamed the government officials for the outbreak of the avian flu, saying inefficient monitoring and farm filth had contributed to the growth of the dreaded disease.
So far, districts of Nalbari, Chirrang, Baska, Barpeta, Kamrup, Kamruo(Metro), Bongaigaon and Dibrugarh had been affected, while cases of Bird Flu had been reported in Guwahati too, sources said adding the disease had hit retaurant and tourism business hard.
''This is the time for good business as people use to go out and party. But everything has gone down the drain. There is decline in the footfall of domestic tourist by at least 60 per cent. With chicken out of the menu, the restaurants are also incurring heavy losses'' said Pankaj Sinha of the Travel People, a chain of restaurant in the region.
The poultry farmers are equally at loss. ''The poultry industry has been most adversely affected. We have lost Rs 2.21 crore so far,'' All Assam Poultry Farmers Association General Secretary R K Sharma said here.
The Association demanded interest subsidy in line with the Maharashtra model, where 100 per cent loan subsidy was provided by clubbing the central and state subsidies.
There were currently 15,500 poultry farmers registered with the association, with 5.5 people directly involved and twice as many indirectly related, Sharma added.
Underlining that poultry business in the state was exclusively small entrepreneur-based, Sharma said, ''The compensation has been announced to be hiked. Even that is not enough to meet our losses. Moreover, the poultry farmers are yet to receive the revised rates.'' He also advocated such measures like confined poultry farming during winters for backyard farmers, as done in countries like Laos, Nigeria and Iraq.
''The backyard poultry got the virus from migratory birds. This had been the case in the state this time,'' Sharma said.
The hatcheries were incurring a daily loss of Rs 25 lakh, he said adding it was not possible to buy farm feeds as the item was clubbed under poultry products, whose sale and purchase had been banned.
''The scarcity of farm feeds even in the unaffected areas has led to such a situation indicating that all birds would die of starvation soon,'' Dr Koch said.
Dr Koch estimated that the demand for chicken and ducks would have gone up two to three times during the season, adding the outbreak of bird flu had severely hit business.:tiphat:http://www.northeasttribune.com/7669.htm

 

[HenryN]

Re: India: Assam, AVIAN INFLUENZA A/H5N1 IN POULTRY (December 2008+)

<TABLE style="PADDING-LEFT: 10px" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top width="100%">4.25 lakh birds culled in Assam, ops on</ARTTITLE>
20 Dec 2008, 2010 hrs IST, PTI
</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left><!-- google_ad_section_start -->GUWAHATI: Culling operations in four bird-flu affected districts of Assam continued on Saturday with more than 4.25 lakh birds exterminated so far.

The H5N1 virus has struck 120 villages in seven districts and the state government disbursed Rs 1,27,85,216 as compensation to the poultry farmers, official sources said.

The state government has decided to set up an expert committee to take appropriate measures to prevent similar outbreak among the avian population in future.

The state Animal Husbandry and Veterinary department along with the district authorities launched cleanliness drive and awareness campaign in the affected districts.

The department was also maintaining a strict vigil in other districts with the authorities directed to alert any unusual death among the avian population.

The state forest department has also directed forest personnel to monitor the migratory birds visiting the state during winter.

The seven districts affected by the avian flu are Barpeta, Chirang, Dibrugarh, Bongaigaon, Kamrup (rural), Kamrup (metro) and Nalbari with culling already completed in the last three districts.

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http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/425_lakh_birds_culled_in_Assam_ops_on/rssarticleshow/3867368.cms

 

[Sally Furniss]

Re: India: Assam, AVIAN INFLUENZA A/H5N1 IN POULTRY (December 2008+)

In Assam, the new bird flu outbreak in poultry in areas of the job to kill time - may need to increase the limit.

Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said that 120 villages and 47 municipal wards of the state, including seven districts of the disease so far have been affected. He said that four million chickens to kill the work has been completed and one lakh 55 thousand eggs have been destroyed.

Kamrup district in the last week of November Hajo in the field of bird flu after receiving information about five million chickens and Bttkhon to kill the target was set. Gogoi said that the cause of the outbreak Berdflu for detection of an expert committee has been constituted. However, initial investigation has revealed that in the State of the virus from migratory birds coming here has come.

The disease re-check the spread of the other to suggest a committee has been set up. In a Pkvadeh disease has spread rapidly in the state. However, a person so far the disease has been found but not the impact of government measures such cemented that a man is not in effect.

http://in.jagran.yahoo.com/news/national/general/5_1_5087449/

 

[HenryN]

Re: India: Assam, AVIAN INFLUENZA A/H5N1 IN POULTRY (December 2008+)

Tripura, Mizoram ban import of poultry products
December 21st, 2008 - 4:42 pm ICT by IANS -
Agartala, Dec 21 (IANS) Tripura and Mizoram Sunday banned the import of poultry from the bird flu-hit states of Assam and West Bengal, besides adjoining Bangladesh, officials said.?The state government has set up check gates at the Assam-Tripura border and asked security forces to maintain a strict vigil along the border with Bangladesh to prevent import of poultry and poultry products,? said U. Venkateswarlu, principal secretary with the Tripura government.
?There are no reports of avian flu attack in Tripura, but we cannot remain complacent,? the official told reporters here.
The Mizoram government has also issued a similar ban.
?The Mizoram government has asked traders not to import poultry and poultry products from outside the state and asked its officials to maintain a close vigil along the border,? said C. Sangnghina, director of the animal husbandry and veterinary department.
More than 80 Rapid Response Teams have been kept on standby in Tripura to deal with symptoms of bird flu.
The northeastern state of Tripura was affected by avian influenza in April and May this year, forcing the authorities to cull over 200,000 birds.
At least eight Assam districts were hit by the bird flu virus two weeks ago after hundreds of chicken and ducks died suddenly. More than 400,000 poultry have been culled in Assam after the outbreak, officials said.

http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal...ban-import-of-poultry-products_100133538.html

 

[Shiloh]

Re: India: Assam, AVIAN INFLUENZA A/H5N1 IN POULTRY (December 2008+)

Source: http://www.newsonair.com/news.asp?cat=national&id=NN4623

No fresh bird flu cases detected in Assam; 1L poultry birds vaccinated in Orissa

Dec 21
In Assam, there is no fresh report of spread of the dreaded bird flu. According to official reports, samples of birds sent to the High Security Animal Disease Laboratory at Bhopal from different locations of the State in last one week, have tested negative.
AIR Guwahati Correspondent reports that culling operation in almost all the 12 notified bird flu infection epicenters in seven districts of the State has been completed.
In Orissa, around one lakh poultry birds have been vaccinated so far in eight districts. AIR Bhubaneswar correspondent reports that the Centre has provided around ten lakh units of P2B (R2B) vaccine for this programme.
Meanwhile, in the wake of high alert sounded by the Centre following the bird flu outbreak in West Bengal and Assam, the Bihar government has imposed a ban on entry of chicken and other poultry products from the two states.
State Animal Husbandry Minister Ram Narayan Mandal said in Patna on Sunday hat the adjoining districts of Kishanganj, Purnia, Araria and Katihar have been sealed.
The state government has also initiated preventive measures in other parts of the state to check the spread of avian flu and asked people to take precautionary measures while consuming chicken.

 

[Shiloh]

Re: India: Assam, AVIAN INFLUENZA A/H5N1 IN POULTRY (December 2008+)

Source: http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/details.asp?id=dec2208/at02

Avian flu tackled as per Central norms
Staff reporter

GUWAHATI, Dec 21 ? The State Veterinary Department today clarified that it has been working as per the instructions issued by the Union Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Department in matters of bird flu outbreak. It needs mention here that a news item published in a section of the press carried a news item, quoting sources in the Bhopal-based High Security Animal Disease Laboratory (HSADL). It said that no bird flu virus was found in the sera and floacal samples sent from the State.

Veterinary Department sources here said that between November 27 and December 16, the Union Government issued five notifications on the matter. On November 27, the first of the notifications was issued on the Thakuria Chuba outbreak, then the December 1 notification was issued on the outbreak in Rani and Rampur Development Block areas. The December 4 notification was issued on the outbreak of the disease in Gobardhana, Pachim Nalbari Development Blocks.

The Union Department of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry issued the December 10 notification on the outbreak of the disease in Nilibari, Bejera Jalah and Khanapara and Dibrugarh municipality areas. It issued a similar notification on December 16 on the outbreak of the disease in Boitamari Development Block and Kharghuli areas, said the State Veterinary Department sources.

They also reminded that a Central Government team led by Secretary of the Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Department N Gokul Ram and comprising Joint Secretary of the Department Arvind Kaushal and Commissioner Dr AB Bandopadhaya, also visited the State on December 12 and 13. They told newspersons at a press conference on December 13 that poultry populations of nine locations in six districts were affected (till then) by the bird flu virus, among others.

Moreover, Joint Commissioner of the Department AB Negi had been camping in the State since November 27 to oversee the anti-bird flu drive. Now, Negi has been replaced by D Biswas, said the sources.

The State has been sending sera and floacal etc samples to the Bhopal laboratory regularly for confirmation of the presence of bird flu virus in them. Today also, such samples were sent to the laboratory, disclosed sources.

Efforts made by this correspondent to contact the HSADL people at Bhopal on the issue failed.

 

[Shiloh]

Re: India: Assam, AVIAN INFLUENZA A/H5N1 IN POULTRY (December 2008+)

Source: http://www.financialexpress.com/new...stry-could-lead-to-spread-of-bird-flu/401181/

Poor hygiene in poultry industry could lead to spread of bird flu
Sandip Das
Posted: 2008-12-22 23:42:13+05:30 IST
Updated: Dec 22, 2008 at 2342 hrs IST

New Delhi: Although prompt actions by the Assam and West Bengal governments prevented the spread of deadly bird flu virus in poultry industry to rest of the country, threat of the virus outbreak still looms as factors such as hygiene in the farms and setting up of information sharing system with neighbouring Bangladesh are yet to be operational.

Senior government officials do admit to the fact that huge geographical spread of the Rs 40,000-crore poultry industry in the country poses difficulty in stopping the bird flu virus from spreading from one state to another.

?It is virtually impossible to conduct stringent checking for presence of virus in all the poultry products moved from one state to another,? an Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) official told FE.

Frequent outbreaks of bird flu also raise questions about the quality aspects of country?s poultry products export. India?s export of poultry products has increased from Rs 287 crore during 2004-05 to Rs 350 crore during 2007-08. Birds, eggs, processed egg products etc are exported to countries like United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Oman, Germany and Japan.

Meanwhile, an official statement on Friday said, ?There has been no further report from the High Security Animal Disease Laboratory, Bhopal of any sample testing positive in any part of the country, including Assam and West Bengal.? The statement also said that there was no further report of unusual mortality of poultry in any part of the country.

Besides the hygiene issue, a permanent information sharing system with Bangladesh is yet to be established. Out of 12 epicentres of infection in Assam, culling has been completed in 8 of them and an estimated Rs 1.24 crore has been paid as compensation to poultry farmers.

India reported its worst outbreak of bird flu in the middle of this year in West Bengal and later it was found that virus had come from Bangladesh. In November 2008, India regained ?bird flu free? status from the Paris based World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), an inter-governmental organisation responsible for improving animal health worldwide.

 

[HenryN]

Re: India: Assam, AVIAN INFLUENZA A/H5N1 IN POULTRY (December 2008+)

Source: http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/details.asp?id=dec2208/at02

Avian flu tackled as per Central norms
Staff reporter


Efforts made by this correspondent to contact the HSADL people at Bhopal on the issue failed.

Don't ask, don't tell method of H5N1 control.

 

[HenryN]

Re: India: Assam, AVIAN INFLUENZA A/H5N1 IN POULTRY (December 2008+)

Bid to prevent spread of bird flu in Hojai
[SIZE=-1]Correspondent
HOJAI, Dec 21 ? In a bid to prevent the spread of bird flu in Hojai area, a meeting was organised by the Civil and Police administration on Friday at Hojai police station premises attended by SDM HO, SDVO gaon burhas, GP and AP members to discuss various ways and means to alert people from this highly infectious disease of birds.

The subdivisional veterinary officer Dr S Haque spoke on the measures adopted by his department and said that imported poultries likely to carry the disease or infected poultry are most likely to transmit the diseases to healthy domestic poultries. He informed that his field staff constantly monitoring the poultry areas but so far no informations of death of poultry due to flu have been received from any part of the subdivision. He further disclosed that blood samples from Hojai subdivision have been sent for confirmation of the presence of the bird flu virus and result is awaited.

Dr S Haque, SDM HO, Hojai cautioned that bird flu is a highly infectious disease with grave potential danger to human lives when infected. He stressed the need to alert people of its deadly consequences.

The chairman, Hojai Municipal Board, Babul Das, informed the measures adopted by the Board like public announcement, postering of banners, prevent selling of poultry in the markets etc.

Executive magistrate Jatindra Pathak, explained the steps initiated by Hojai civil administration and disclosed that the district administration as precauionary measures before any outbreak of disease in Nagaon district has passed orders U/S 144 Cr PC preventing entry of poultry into the district, prohibiting movement through all modes of transport among others and appealed to the people to keep a strict vigil and make people aware about the outcome of bird flu.

In his presidential speech, Arup Sarma, circle officer, Hojai revenue circle, stressed the need for concerted efforts and asked all the gaon burhas to alert the people and requested the gaon panchayat members to help in the campaign against bird flu.

Earlier, welcoming the attendents as part of explaining purpose SK Baruah, OC, Hojai PS dwelt on the steps adopted to prevent entry of poultry from outside in Hojai either by road or by railway engaging checking point in Chaparmukh and Lumding junction of NF Railway as well as by road at Veloguri.[/SIZE]

http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/details.asp?id=dec2208/State

 

[HenryN]

Re: India: Assam, AVIAN INFLUENZA A/H5N1 IN POULTRY (December 2008+)

Tripura bans import of poultry products from Assam
[SIZE=-1]CORRESPONDENT
AGARTALA, Dec 21 ? Alarmed by the outbreak of avian flu in Assam, Tripura Government on Saturday imposed a complete ban on importing poultry products from the neighbouring State.

Tripura, which had to struggle in April this year following outbreak of bird flu had been declared as avian flu free in October.

Though there is no report of fresh outbreak of bird flu, as part of routine surveillance measures, the government has decided to impose ban on importing chicks and eggs from Assam, said Commissioner of Animal Resource Development (ARD) U Venkateswarlu here.

He said that authorities of North Tripura district administration were asked to ensure no poultry product entered into State?s territory. ARD personnel were posted at Chouraibari check post? entry point of Tripura via Assam to carry out disinfection of vehicles coming from Assam, he said.

Besides, ARD personnel have started collecting samples in case of any death of chicks to ensure constant vigil on the situation, he said.

He further said that the Forest department had been asked to keep an eye on movement of migratory birds.

Earlier, the State Government had to impose a ban on importing of poultry products in the wake of massive outbreak of avian flu in Bangladesh.

He said that BSF authority has also intensified vigil along the Indo-Bangla border following fresh outbreak of avian flu in Bangladesh.

?This ban is still continuing keeping in mind the fresh outbreak of the disease in some districts of Bangladesh?, he added.

PTI adds: Two border districts of Nagaland have also banned entry of poultry and related products from Assam.

The district administrations of Mokokchung and Mon have asked police and civil officials posted at the inter-State border check-posts of Tizit and Naginimora to keep strict vigil on the movement of fowls, sources said.

?The Mokokchung deputy commissioner has asked all concerned departments to strictly ban entry of poultry and related products to the district till further orders,? they said. ? PTI [/SIZE]

http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/details.asp?id=dec2208/ne

 

[Shiloh]

Re: India: Assam, AVIAN INFLUENZA A/H5N1 IN POULTRY (December 2008+)

Source: http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/details.asp?id=dec2308/at07

Culling under directive from Centre: Govt
Staff reporter
GUWAHATI, Dec 22 ? State Government today reiterated its assertion that it has been conducting anti-bird flu drive in response to the instructions issued by the Union Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries after the poultry samples sent from the State tested positive of the H5N1 strain of the bird flu virus at the Bhopal-based High Security Animal Disease Laboratory (HSADL). State?s Veterinary Commissioner Shyamlal Mewra and Veterinary Director Dr A Kotoky said at a press conference here that the Union Department of Animal Husbandry had been issuing instructions to the State Government whenever the poultry samples sent from the State tested positive.

They were reacting to a news item that appeared in a section of the print media that the Bhopal-based HSADL did never found bird flu virus in the poultry samples of the State. Both of them also produced the notifications issued by the Union Department in this connection to substantiate their assertion.

The first of these notifications (No 50-258/2008-LDT -AQ) said, ? Consequent upon confirmation of the outbreak of Avian Influenza, the Government of Assam needs to take a series of strategic actions immediately. Such actions are to be taken both by the Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Department and the Public Health Department of the State. The strategy has been detailed in the document ?Action Plan of Animal Husbandry for Preparedness, Control and Containment of Avian Influenza,? revised and circulated by the Government of India in November, 2006 and other instructions/ guidelines issued by the Government of India from time to time??

The Veterinary Commissioner and Director said that out of the 12 locations where bird flu infection has been detected, culling operations have been completed except in Sariha Sakla village under Bajali Development Block of Barpeta District, Nilibari village under Sidli-Chirang Development Block of Chirang District and Kheluwapara Part-II village under Boitamari Development Block of Bongaigaon District.

Since December 16, no report of unusual death of poultry from any part of the State has been received. However, the State is sending poultry samples regularly to the HSADL and yesterday also some samples were sent, which included 21 carcasses of dead birds, to the laboratory, they said.

Till last evening, 4,06,573 birds were culled and 1,55,743 eggs and 12,553kgs of poultry feeds were destroyed under the anti-bird flu drive. An amount of Rs 1.32 crore was paid to the poultry farmers as compensation till yesterday. Due to the resistance from the farmers in Chirang District, more time will be required to complete the culling operations in Chirang District. In the rest of the areas, it is expected that the culling operations could be completed within two to three days.

The State Government is also contemplating to provide three she goats or two pigs per individual farmer who have lost their poultry during the current culling operations. One he goat will be provided to a group of seven families taking to goat farming, said the senior officials of the State Veterinary Department.

On December 28, the programme to provide goats and pigs to the poultry farmers of Dhubri and Kokrajhar who had lost their poultry during the drive to check spread of the disease from West Bengal areas in 2007, will be launched. The programme will require around Rs 3 crore for implementation, they said

 

[HenryN]

Re: India: Assam, AVIAN INFLUENZA A/H5N1 IN POULTRY (December 2008+)

Culling operation on in Baksa
[SIZE=-1]Correspondent
MUSHALPUR, Dec 22 ? Over 27,247 domestic fowls were culled till December 12 last and over 739 eggs were buried in Baksa district. Official sources maintain that an amount of over Rs 7,36,126 was paid to the owners of the culled poultry as compensation.

After detection of bird flu positive samples in and around Katajhar and Doomni villages under Gobardhana Development Block, poultry culling operation started from December 7 last within the 3-km radius from the epicentre Katajhar covering seven villages in Baksa district and six others in Barpeta district. The culling operation was carried out jointly by the RRT experts from the District AH & Veterinary department, Baksa and Barpeta districts. The culling operation was carried out with the cooperation of the district administration, Health and Family Welfare departments and police administration of Baksa and Barpeta districts. The mopping operation has been started in the villages under Barpeta district but culling operation is still going on in Baksa district.

Central teams are monitoring and supervising the operations. The district AH& Veterinary officer, Baksa has already directed all veterinary assistant surgeons and extension officers (Veterinary) under Baksa district to make routine surveillance, collect samples from the field and send them to RDDL, Khanapara. The bird samples from different places of Baksa district have already been sent to RDDL, Khanapara for confirmation of bird flu. SDO (Civil), Salbari subdivision has issued orders under Section 144 CrPC in the areas prohibiting sale of ducks, chickens, etc., and poultry products including transportation of these from and to the affected areas.
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