Bird flu in Amethi, chief secy puts districts on alert

Alok Ranjan issued an advisory to all divisional commissioners and DMs to take precautions for prevention of Bird Flu.

UTTAR Pradesh Chief Secretary Alok Ranjan on Saturday issued an advisory to all divisional commissioners and district magistrates to take precautions for prevention of Avian Influenza (bird flu) following the confirmation of the flu in Amethi district.

The Chief Secretary’s Office was informed by the Union Ministry of Agriculture of “highly pathogenic avian influenza” in Saari ka Purwa village in Shukul Bazaar area of Amethi district, through the ministry’s letter on March 13. The confirmation comes at a time when swine flu has gripped the state, having taken at least 17 lives here this season. As many as 19 new cases of swine flu were reported from across UP on Saturday, thus taking the state total to 1,164 cases.

“There are no human cases as of now and led by the Chief Veterinary Officer, the district administration is conducting tests and we are taking all necessary precautions,” Amethi’s Chief Medical Officer, Ashok Kumar said.

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In the advisory, the Chief Secretary has reiterated the guidelines issued earlier by the Union and state governments regarding the flu. The CS notes that UP has a high number of water bodies and bird sanctuaries which host migratory birds, hence making it more important to check the disease here.

The CS has said that as soon as the flu is confirmed in a district, the DM should coordinate with the Animal Husbandry, Health and Forest departments to control its spread. A Rapid Response Team is to be constituted along with a 24-hour helpline which would share the details with the state and Union governments. The CS has also asked the DMs on the boundaries of the state to ensure that no contaminated poultry enters the state and has asked those on the Nepal border to be extra cautious.

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