An outbreak of avian influenza, also known as 'bird-flu' had been reported from Dasarahari village, Bengaluru a week ago. As the Centre confirmed the outbreak, the Maharashtra government is now on the go to prevent the spread of the infection in the state and has asked the officials to undertake preventive measures against the same.
In the last couple of days, the state has issued instructions in this regard and appointed nodal officers to supervise effective implementation of these measures for the poultry industry which is supposed to be directly affected by the epidemic. An official told that the poultry industry generates an annual revenue of about ₹700 crore.
According to the state animal husbandry commissioner Kantilal Umap, no bird-flu case has been detected in the state so far. In order to be a step ahead of the infestation, there are instructions to collect blood samples of every fowl bird transported from the neighbouring state, Karnataka to Maharashtra. The State government has also asked poultry managers to spray medicines in the coops to protect birds.
Stating the importance of taking extra care to protect the birds, Umap said that the total number of poultry birds in Maharashtra would be over seven lakh and the business greatly helps to generate employment at the rural level.
Out of the 7,000 samples collected in the last one week, the results of 5,000 samples have been negative, as confirmed by the Senior officials in the state animal husbandry department. In a couple of days, the result of the remaining blood samples will also be out.
Bird flu is a viral infection that primarily infects birds, including chicken, other fowl, and wild birds.