Bird flu is gradually spreading to other districts of the State. So far, bird flu cases have been confirmed in crows and wild birds of 18 districts, including Indore, Mandsaur, Agar, Neemuch, Dewas, Ujjain, Khandwa, Guna, Rajgarh, Shajapur, Vidisha, Bhopal, Hoshangabad, Ashok Nagar, Datia and Badwani. Hitherto, 328 samples from different districts have been sent to National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NISHAD) for testing. In the samples of Alirajpur, no bird flu virus was detected.

 

In all districts, measures to prevent bird flu disease are being taken according to advisory issued by State and Central governments respectively. Notably, it was from Indore that crows started dying in unnatural manner. Later, crow death also started to surface in sundry districts and now it has been confirmed that bird flu has reached more than one dozen districts of Madhya Pradesh. In affected regions, poultry farms are also being checked and poultry owners are being made aware that if any hen starts showing symptoms of bird flu or dies unnaturally then concerned veterinary officers should be immediately informed. In the wake of bird flu disease, demand of poultry products such as chicken and eggs has come down. Owing to this, even their rates have collapsed.

 

Non-vegetarians have desisted from purchasing chicken and eggs following outbreak of bird flu in more than one dozen districts of State. Government is also making people aware regarding bird flu disease. People are being advised that if they spot any dead crow or bird, then they should immediately pass the information to local officers.