On Day 7, culling taken to Imphal Raj Bhavan

As Manipur’s fight against the spread of avian influenza entered Day 7 on Wednesday, 34 Rapid Response Teams

As Manipur’s fight against the spread of avian influenza entered Day 7 on Wednesday, 34 Rapid Response Teams (RRT) working nearly round-the-clock have reported culling of 2,94,270 farm birds since July 26, with 50,166 birds culled on Tuesday alone. This figure includes 22,153 ducks, capable of playing host to the bird flu virus without getting affected — 12 of which belonged to the Raj Bhavan.

A spokesperson for Governor Dr S S Sidhu told The Indian Express on Wednesday that 12 ducks, which had been kept at the Raj Bhavan as pets, had to be culled as the Governor’s official residence fell within the five-km radius of the primarily affected farm at Chingmeirong. “Dr Sidhu was a bit disappointed that the ducks had to go as he had been looking after them along with the staff here. But he saw the necessity and decided to set an example for the public,” the spokesperson said.

Apart from birds, nearly 23,000 chicken eggs have been destroyed along with over 14,000 kg of poultry feed since the confirmation of avian flu.

However, Veterinary & Animal Husbandry Director Th Dorendra Singh said that movement of poultry feed beyond the five-km radius demarcated for culling and sanitisation operations should not be restricted. Even after a week, officials here are not sure as to how the 132 birds in Chingmeirong area were infected.

“Only samples sent from the Chingmeirong farm tested positive for bird flu and this includes live birds and serum samples. We have also sent 253 blood and six poultry samples taken randomly from within the five and 10 km radius of the affected farm to the HRADL, Bhopal and NIV, Pune — all of which have tested negative. We are yet to figure out why only one farm seems to have been affected,” Dorendra said.

The affected area has been divided into 85 sectors and the first round of culling operations has been completed in 79 sectors in Imphal East and Imphal West districts. “With only a few sectors to go, culling should be completed by Thursday evening, following which the ‘mopping’ operations would start. This covers the culling of any birds left out in the first round, disinfection and sanitisation of all farms where culling has taken place. According to our reports, birds are still alive in the affected zone. We have despatched doctors with support staff for surveillance activities in the 10-km radius area. The initial resistance has died out, now it (culling) is becoming voluntary,” Dorendra added.