Uttar Pradesh on Bird Flu Alert After 350 Birds Die

After swine flu, the Uttar Pradesh or UP government has sounded a bird flu alert following the outbreak of the avian influenza in Amethi, official sources said today.
    
Chief Secretary Alok Rajan has directed all divisional commissioners and district magistrates to initiate preventive measures in their areas to minimise possible adverse effects of bird flu.

This was followed by a warning by an expert team that confirmed a "highly pathogenic avian influenza" outbreak in Amethi, where 350 birds, chicken and ducks died of a mystery disease on March 6 and March 7.
    
The incident occurred in the villages of Chandgarh and Sare Ka Purwa in Shukulbazaa area.
    
"District Magistrates or DMs should form a joint team comprising representatives of health, animal husbandry, panchyati raj and urban planning departments so that an action plan for containing the disease could be rolled out," the alert said.

The Chief Secretary also directed effective surveillance of poultry farms, particularly those near water bodies.
    
Districts along Nepal and Bihar borders have been asked to furnish a daily report of action taken to curb avian influenza.
    
The outbreak of bird flu cases came at a time when the state is battling with swine flu, which is raging in 35 districts and has so far claimed 17 lives.