Poultry farms, lakes, wetlands in Punjab beneath surveillance over chicken flu risk

A day after samples of lifeless migratory birds from Himachal Pradesh examined constructive for avian influenza H5N1, the Punjab animal husbandry division directed its district-level officers to begin surveillance of business poultry farms and lakes/wetlands to examine uncommon illness and fatality amongst birds and acquire samples for testing.
In a separate order, the Northern Regional Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (RDDL), Jalandhar issued a letter for 5 states and three UTs — Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Delhi and UTs of Ladakh, J&Ok, Chandigarh — stating precautions and measures to be taken to stop ingress and unfold of avian influenza.
Speaking to The Indian Express, Punjab Animal Husbandry director H S Kahlon mentioned orders had been issued to all districts in Punjab to begin surveillance of business poultry farms and acquire samples if any chicken fatality was reported.
All lakes and wetlands within the state have additionally been put beneath surveillance for fatality/uncommon illness amongst migratory birds.

“District-level officials in Punjab have been alerted and directed to start surveillance of commercial private poultry farms. Wildlife wing will be checking all water bodies including lakes, wetlands etc. to see if there is any fatality among migratory birds. If a bird is found dead, sample will be collected and sent for testing at RDDL Jalandhar. Final confirmation will be done after testing from National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NISHAD) in Bhopal. For Punjab, Haryana, HP, Delhi and Rajasthan and three UTs Ladakh, J&K and Chandigarh, samples will first be tested at RDDL Jalandhar,” mentioned Kahlon.
Kahlon mentioned that the character of H5N1 is such that it can not survive past 70 diploma Celsius: “We will be issuing a separate advisory for consumption of poultry meat and other products such as eggs but this virus gets killed if poultry chicken is cooked at 70 degree Celsius or more. In India, we adopt cooking methods such as boiling, frying, roasting etc and temperature crosses 70 degree Celsius, so it is safe to consume chicken if it is properly cooked. But one should avoid eating raw meat/chicken,” mentioned Kahlon.

Meanwhile, a letter issued by the RDDL Jalandhar (copy with The Indian Express) and despatched to administrators of animal husbandry division of 5 northern states and three UTs said that: “Avian influenza is a highly contagious, transboundary disease, having zoonotic potential and causing huge losses in term of mortality and trade of poultry and poultry products…”
“…As there’s excessive threat of incidence of avian influenza throughout winter season and there are reviews of untamed, migratory and domesticated poultry, subsequently there’s an instantaneous want that each one states must be in preparedness and preserve an in depth watch on any uncommon illness or mortality in birds (poultry in addition to wild/migratory birds)…,’ reads the letter.

The letter additional states: “The surveillance is needed to be carried out in wet markets at the bordering areas, market chain on poultry supply areas with high duck population, water bodies, nesting places of wild birds, zoological parks and bird sanctuaries as stipulated in surveillance plan. The veterinary officers should be sensitized to send samples on regular basis…”
RDDL Jalandhar has additional mentioned that “migratory birds play an important role in the transmission of avian influenza virus resulting in low as well as highly pathogenic avian influenza. Hence, there is a need to strengthen the surveillance in areas where migratory birds are visiting. Special emphasis should be laid on sero-surveillance in poultry in such areas…”

The letter additional states that RDDL Jalandhar has educated veterinary officers as grasp trainers relating to prevention, management and containment of avian influenza, so states have been directed prepare coaching for capability constructing of vets and para-vets.

The letter additionally mentioned: “Incidence of any unusual sickness/mortality in birds should be immediately reported to all concerned as per action plan along with action taken for prevention and control of the disease…It should be emphasized on the poultry owner, public involved in poultry business, wildlife staff to report such unusual sickness/mortality in birds to the nearest veterinary authority for taking necessary action as mentioned in the action plan…”
The letter sums up that “biosecurity needs to be strengthened in all poultry establishments, zoological parks, bird sanctuaries and poultry markets…”