An avian flu alert was issued in Rajasthan after the presence of the dreaded virus was confirmed in dead crows in Jhalawar and more bird deaths were reported in other districts, including Jaipur, authorities said. The Livestock Department established a state-level control room and dispatched its teams to districts for effective monitoring, they said.
On Sunday, seven crows were found dead at the iconic Jal Mahal here, bringing the death toll to 252 in the state. Chief Animal Husbandry Secretary Kunji Lal Meena told reporters on Sunday that deaths due to bird flu have been reported primarily among crows, most of them from the Kota and Jodhpur divisions. The virus is dangerous and the necessary guidelines have been issued. All field officers and poultry farm owners have been asked to remain vigilant. Effective monitoring is ensured at all sites, especially wetlands, Sambhar Lake and Kaila Devi Bird Sanctuary, “Meena said, adding that a state-level control room has been established.
He said the crow deaths were reported on December 25 from Jhalawar. Their samples were sent to the National Institute for High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD) in Bhopal and the bird flu virus was detected. So far, 100 ravens from Jhalawar, 72 from Baran, 47 from Kota, 19 from Pali, seven from Jodhpur and seven from Jaipur have been reported dead.
The department secretary, Arushi Malik, said the Center’s guidelines are being followed and that an alert has been issued in all districts. The situation is not alarming, but we are vigilant, ensuring that this virus does not enter domestic animals. Guidelines are being followed and dead animals are being buried according to instructions, said additional director Bhawani Rathore. More than 75 samples have been sent from various locations for analysis, he added.
Wildlife director ML Meena said the department has issued an alert and field staff have been asked to be more vigilant. Avian influenza has been confirmed only in Jhalawar, but instructions have been issued to track each case, especially near bodies of water, he said.
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