215 extra migratory birds discovered lifeless in Himachal’s Pong Dam lake sanctuary, toll now 4,235

A complete of 215 extra migratory birds have been discovered lifeless within the Pong Dam Lake wildlife sanctuary in Himachal Pradesh on Sunday, taking the overall variety of migratory water birds suspected to have died of chook flu to 4,235, wildlife officers mentioned.
Each day since December 29, lots of of migratory birds have been discovered lifeless within the lake space, and samples of a number of the lifeless birds had examined optimistic for the H5N1 avian influenza on Monday.

Chief Wildlife Warden Archana Sharma mentioned {that a} joint group of animal husbandry officers from the Centre and state visited Siyal in Dhameta wildlife vary and Guglara in Nagrota Surian vary within the sanctuary on Sunday to evaluate the scenario.
More poultry birds discovered dumped
Meanwhile, for the fourth day in a row, a lot of lifeless poultry birds have been discovered dumped by the aspect of the Chandigarh-Shimla freeway in Solan district on Saturday. Animal husbandry officers mentioned lifeless chickens have been discovered dumped close to Sanwara. Earlier, lifeless chickens have been discovered dumped twice close to Chakki Mor and as soon as at Barog bypass close to the district headquarters. On all 4 events, the stays of the birds have been buried as per the security protocol and their samples despatched to a illness diagnostic laboratory in Jalandhar.
Numerous crows have additionally been discovered lifeless in several components of the state over the previous few days, together with greater than 60 crows every at Pong Lake sanctuary in Kangra and Paonta Sahib in Sirmaur and 12 crows at Taliara in Mandi. Crow deaths have been additionally reported in Bilaspur district.
Bird flu: GADVASU points advisory for poultry farmers, shoppers
Punjab’s state vet varsity — Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU)– Sunday issued an advisory for poultry farmers and rooster shoppers within the wake of chook flu risk.
The GADVASU advisory mentioned that although there isn’t a report of any chook flu case in Punjab, poultry farmers have to be extra vigilant.
“Bird flu is a disease of birds, caused by Avian Influenza Type A virus, which could affect several kinds of birds, including wild birds, turkeys, quails, chicken, ducks etc. Virus is shed in the faeces, nasal discharges and saliva of infected birds. Healthy birds become sick when they come in contact with the infected/reservoir birds or their secretions or contaminated feed, water or equipment. Rarely this disease transmits from birds to humans. However, the persons working in close contact of birds must follow proper personnel hygiene and safety measures,” the advisory mentioned.
Dr Jasbir Bedi, director, School of Public Health and Zoonoses, GADVASU, mentioned that buyers should totally prepare dinner poultry and poultry merchandise, together with eggs, earlier than consumption. “Proper cooking on more than 70° C kills influenza viruses. Farm-to-farm transmission usually occurs through the movement of the live birds, people and contaminated vehicles, equipment etc. Entry of person or vehicles in the poultry farm should be regulated,” the advisory mentioned.

“One should inform the local veterinarian in case he/she comes across something aberrant, for example death of wild or migratory birds in the vicinity of the farm,” mentioned Dr Rajnish Sharma, Assistant Professor, School of Public Health and Zoonoses.
“Don’t handle dead birds with bare hands. Dispose of the dead birds cautiously under the guidance of local veterinarians, either by burning or burying in a pit. While disposing them of, one should wear mask, gloves and safety goggles. If gloves are not available, use an inverted polythene bag and wash your hands after the disposal. Open water troughs or farm tanks should be covered in order to avoid the fecal contamination by wild or migratory birds. Trees in the farm or near its boundary should be pruned. Other measures include maintaining sanitation of poultry farm and avoiding introduction of birds of unknown disease status,” the advisory mentioned.