Jalgaon, a city in northern Maharashtra has an increase in Avian influenza, and samples from the dead birds have been sent to the National Institute of High-Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD) in Bhopal and Disease Investigation Section in Pune for testing cases, to confirm the cause, said state animal husbandry commissioner Sachindra Pratap Singh.
A disconcerting death rise of 65 poultry birds was reported on 15th February in Jalgaon district reveals the epidemic is not under control. So far 7,12,172 poultry birds (including 5,78,360 birds from Navapur, District Nandurbar), 26,03,728 eggs, and 72,974 kg of poultry feed have been destroyed from infected zones.
The state animal husbandry department reported deaths of 53 other birds such as sparrows, herons, and parrots in Mumbai, Thane, Pune, Ratnagiri, Satara, Nanded, Ahmednagar, and Chandrapur.
The ICAR-NIHSAD has established bird flu deaths in poultry birds in eleven districts to date.
To avoid the spread of infection, carcasses are put in gunnysacks and buried in a ditch lined with a layer of lime, according to sources.
Avian influenza (bird flu), a viral infection infects not only birds but also humans and other animals. However, most strains of the virus are confined to birds, H5N1 being the most common form of bird flu. The State government has paid Rs 45.40 lakh to the poultry farmers in the infected zones as compensation.
The Central government issued a release to the State government that the Avian influenza virus cannot survive if cooked or boiled at a temperature of 70-degree Celsius in three seconds, and well-cooked chicken and boiled eggs are safe for human consumption. The government has issued an appeal to the citizens that they should not consume half-cooked poultry meat or half-cooked or raw eggs. They have also instructed chicken shop owners to use gloves, a mask covering the mouth and nose, incorporating stringent hygiene practices in their shops, and maintaining social distancing norms.