BIRD FLU
Since the bird flu has started spreading in several places the government of Jammu and Kashmir has started the process of keeping an eye on the situation. So far there have been no bird flu cases reported from anywhere from UT Jammu and Kashmir.
A squad of experts from the Institute of Animal Health and Biological Products (IAH&BP), Zakura of Animal Husbandry Department, Kashmir in coordination with the Wildlife Protection Department, Kashmir recently visited Hokersar wetland to set in motion a sustained surveillance and Monitoring for Bird Flu (Avian Influenza) here.
The team from IAH&BP, Zakura headed by experts and doctors collected 21 samples in accordance with the laid down guidelines and SOPs for Avian Influenza to be forwarded to High Security Animal Disease Lab, Bhopal and RDDL Jalandhar for further testing.
The wildlife Veterinarian, accompanying the team informed that no deaths in birds were reported from the Hokersar wetland, the largest and most prominent of wetlands in Kashmir.
Further, the team made an awareness presentation to the staff posted at Hokersar and advised them to be vigilant for immediate reporting of any signs/symptoms of Avian Influenza or deaths in the wild birds that have migrated to Kashmir valley presently.
The authorities are keeping a close vigil over the overall situation and they have already started a scientific approach to take pre-emptive measures for any kind of spread of this disease.
