Bird carcasses were carefully disposed of in pits in Jhalawar
Jaipur:
Hundreds of crows have died in Rajasthan, prompting authorities to issue an alert for bird flu in the state. The dreaded virus was confirmed in dead crows in Jhalawar district and many other cities, including Jaipur, authorities said.
The bird deaths began on December 25 in Jhalawar, some 340km from the state capital, Jaipur. Most of the deaths have been among crows, most of them in Kota and Jodhpur.
On Sunday, seven crows were found dead at the iconic Jal Mahal in the capital, bringing the death toll to 252 in the state.
So far, 100 ravens from Jhalawar, 72 from Baran, 47 from Kota, 19 from Pali, and seven from Jodhpur and Jaipur each have been reported dead.
The samples were sent to the National Institute for High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD) in Bhopal, where the deadly virus was detected.
A team was dispatched to Jhalawar and 1 km of the Balaji area of the district was cordoned off and Section 144 was imposed. Carcasses of the birds were carefully disposed of in pits in the area, which were then carefully disinfected. The team took all precautions and used safety equipment.
A special team was dispatched to Ajmer and Bharatpur to monitor the situation.
Ajmer has a thriving poultry industry and Bharatpur is of concern as its home in Ghana, a protected wetland where the famous bird sanctuary welcomes hundreds of migratory birds at this time of year.
Last year in Sambhar, another site for avian botlusim migratory birds had killed hundreds of birds and the wildlife department is also concerned about reports of the flu.
The Department of Livestock established a state-level control room and sent its teams to the districts for effective monitoring, authorities said.
The chief secretary of the department of animal husbandry, Kunji Lal Meena, told reporters that effective supervision is being ensured.
“The virus is dangerous and 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 in the wetlands, Lake Sambhar and Kaila Devi Bird Sanctuary, “Meena said. .
The department secretary, Arushi Malik, said the Center’s guidelines are being followed and that an alert has been issued in all districts.
Rajasthan’s Animal Husbandry Minister Lalchand Kataria said an emergency meeting of officials has been called.
More than 75 samples have been sent from various locations for analysis, an official said.
Wildlife director ML Meena said the department has issued an alert and field staff have been asked to be more vigilant.
“Pamphlets and posters will be put up to raise awareness,” said Mr. Meena.
Also in western Madhya Pradesh, bird flu has been detected in about 50 crows whose carcasses were found in Indore a few days ago.
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