GUWAHATI: The Assam Government has imposed a temporary ban on the import and sale of chicken from other states of India. This was done as a precautionary measure after reports of outbreak of Avian Influenza in other states has sent the Assam Livestock Development Agency in an alert mode.
As of now, there is no ban on the sales of locally grown broiler chicken.
This decision was made after thousands of birds have died across the country since December end. Confirmed cases of bird flu have been reported from Rajasthan(crow) – Baran, Kota, Jhalawar, Madhya Pradesh(crow) – Mandsaur, Indore, Malwa, Himachal Pradesh (migratory birds) – Kangra, and Kerala (poultry-duck) – Kottayam, Allapuzha.
Meanwhile, on Friday, the Assam State Zoo stopped serving poultry meat amid the news of avian influenza outbreak, commonly known as bird flu across the country.
Avian Influenza (AI) viruses have been circulating worldwide for centuries with four known major outbreaks recorded in the last century. India notified the first outbreak of avian influenza in 2006. Infection in humans is not yet reported in India though the disease is zoonotic. There is no direct evidence that AI viruses can be transmitted to humans via the consumption of contaminated poultry products. Implementing management practices that incorporate bio security principles, personal hygiene, and cleaning and disinfection protocols, as well as cooking and processing standards, are effective means of controlling the spread of the AI viruses.
“Accordingly, an advisory has been issued each to the States of Rajasthan and MP on 1st January 2021, so as to avoid further spread of the infection. As per the information received from the State of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan control measures are being taken as per the guidelines of National Action Plan of Avian Influenza. Another advisory has been issued on 5th January 2021 to HP where the State has been advised to take measures so as to avoid further spread of disease to poultry. As per the report received, Kerala has already initiated control and containment operations from 05.01.20121 at epicentres and culling process is in operation.
Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Government of India has also set up a control room in New Delhi to keep watch on the situation and to take stock on a daily basis of preventive and control measures undertaken by State authorities.
The measures suggested to the affected States to contain the disease and prevent further spread as per the Action Plan on Avian Influenza include strengthening the biosecurity of poultry farms, disinfection of affected areas, proper disposal of dead birds/carcasses, timely collection, and submission of samples for confirmation and further surveillance, intensification of surveillance plan as well as the general guidelines for the prevention of disease spread from affected birds to poultry and human. Coordination with the forest department for reporting any unusual mortality of birds was also suggested to the States. The other states were also requested to keep a vigil on any unusual mortality amongst birds and to report immediately to take necessary measures,” stated a press release by PIB, dated January 6.
It is to be mentioned that in India, the disease spreads mainly by migratory birds coming into India during winter months i.e. from September – October to February – March.
