Surguja district is on high alert after detection of new case of H5N8 Avian Influenza (Bird flu) confirmed from the Government Poultry Breeding farm located at Sakalo village some eight kilometers away from Ambikapur headquarters on Tuesday. District Administration has been informed and necessary steps are being taken by the Rapid Response team in the area, through public information system villagers have been given necessary guidelines in the area by the officials. As per the information received from Veterinary Department, since last ten days, the chickens were dying and the pattern was same as with birds affected with Bird flu.

 

On February 7, the officials sent first sample to ICAR National Institute of High Security Animal Disease (NIHSAD), OIE Reference Laboratory for Avian Influenza test at Bhopal. Reports were negative, but the death continued. On February 12, the officials again sent two samples to ICAR-NIHSAD, OIE Reference Laboratory Bhopal for testing this time the report came positive. This was the third case of Bird flu in State. At present, more than 2,500 breeders chicken and 5,000 chicken out of 35,033 breeders chicken and 18,397 chicken have been killed through culling after they were suspected of Bird flu. 30,265 eggs were also destroyed. The fodder used for feeding the chicken has been disposed and the dead chickens were buried within one kilometre area of the poultry farm and sale of chickens are prohibited in 10 km radius of the poultry farm.

 

The officials reached the spot and took necessary measures as per protocol to control the spread of the disease. District Collector Sanjeev Kumar Jha has also issued a notice confirming the Bird flu in the region. As per the notice, one kilometer area of the poultry farm has been declared as affected zone and 10 kilometre area of the poultry farm is under surveillance zone. Director Veterinary Services, Dr Matheshwaran V further informed that culling of remaining chickens present in the poultry farm will be done by the District Administration as per the protocol. The source of infection could not be known. He further informed that if any chicken or bird gets infected with virus will survive only for 5-6 hours. The chicken sellers should note that no dead chicken should be sold. On humanitarian ground dead chickens should be discarded, fresh and healthy chickens are safe for selling. When cooked properly over 100 degree Celsius the chicken becomes safe for human consumption.