Bhubaneswar : Chief Secretary Suresh Chandra Mohapatra Wednesday reviewed the bird flu scenario in the State even as the Centre alerted four states including Odisha to remain alert over the scare.
The review by the Chief Secretary revealed that there had been no report about the avian influenza in the State.
Around 11,000 samples from different areas have been tested and no case has been found positive, said officials.
The Chief Secretary has directed officials to intensify surveillance activities and form rapid response team (RRT) at State and District level for tackling any possible outbreak.
The State Government urged the people not to be apprehensive.
Meanwhile, Odisha Government is among four states which have been advised by the Union Government to be on alert.
Union Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) has requested the State Government to keep a vigil on any unusual mortality amongst birds and to report immediately to take necessary measures.
In view of the past experience regarding the reports of the disease in winter season, periodic advisories have been issued to Odisha along with other State Governments.
This is done before commencement of winter for keeping necessary vigil, enhancing surveillance, keeping strategic reserves of supplies preparedness to handle eventualities and IEC for public awareness.
After confirmation of positive samples from ICAR-NIHSAD, AI has 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 (4 epicenters).
Notably, while 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.
In India, the disease spreads mainly by migratory birds coming into India during winter months i.e. from September – October to February – March.
The secondary spread by human handling (through fomites) cannot be ruled out.
In view of a threat of global outbreak of AI, the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), Government of India had prepared an action plan in 2005 which was revised in 2006, 2012 , 2015 and 2021 for guidance of State Government for prevention, control and containment of Avian Influenza in the Country.
Following post operation surveillance plan (POSP) after completion of Avian Influenza outbreak control in 2020 and containment operation at 0different epicenters, the country freedom from AI was declared on 30 September 2020.
The Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying has also set up a control room in New Delhi to keep watch on the situation and to take stock on 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 bio-security 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 prevention of disease spread from affected birds to poultry and human.
Coordination with forest department for reporting any unusual mortality of birds has also been suggested to the States.
