Following the bird flu alert sounded by the Union government, the UP government has directed the animal husbandry department to increase surveillance in high-risk areas like poultry farms and bird markets. The Centre has urged States to increase surveillance in high-risk areas like poultry farms.
The Centre in early March had also issued an alert on the H5N1 virus or bird flu after nine states, including Jharkhand and Punjab, reported outbreaks since January.
In an advisory issued on March 7, the Central Government’s Dairy and Animal Husbandry Department asked all States and Union Territory (UT) administrations to increase surveillance in high-risk areas like poultry farms and bird markets.
Assuring necessary technical support, the Centre urged all states to urgently implement the measures outlined in the National Action Plan for Avian Influenza.
“Surveillance must be intensified in high-risk areas, including live bird markets, migratory bird habitats, and dense poultry zones. States are requested to strictly adhere to the National Action Plan for Avian Influenza (Revised 2021), activate rapid response teams, and strengthen veterinary and laboratory capacities,” read the advisory to state and UT administrations.
Union government has suggested comprehensive approach to controlling Avian Influenza. The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) has implemented a series of initiatives to control and prevent the spread of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in India. The country follows a strict “detect and culling” policy, which involves culling infected birds, restricting movement, and disinfecting areas within a 1 km radius of outbreaks. States have been instructed to report daily on control measures, with increased surveillance and preparedness.
India follows a test-and-cull policy to contain Avian Influenza outbreaks. Under the Livestock Health and Disease Control Scheme, the government compensates affected farmers for culled birds, destroyed eggs, and feed, with costs shared 50:50 between the Centre and States.
Meanwhile UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath taking the potential threat of H5 Avian Influenza (bird flu) seriously, on Monday, chaired a high-level meeting and directed officials to enforce maximum vigilance across all zoos in the state.
CM mentioned that the safety of protected animals and birds in zoos, bird sanctuaries, national parks, wetland areas, and cow shelters must be treated as the topmost priority. He instructed officials to take all necessary preventive measures promptly and strictly in accordance with the guidelines issued by both the central and state governments to curb the possible spread of the infection.
As part of the preventive strategy, the Chief Minister ordered regular sanitization of zoo premises and the use of blow torching where needed. He also emphasized mandatory health screenings for all wild animals and birds, along with strict inspection of their food to prevent any contamination.
The Chief Minister also directed that all zoo staff be fully informed about avian influenza and equipped with PPE kits and other essential safety gear. He further instructed that staff duties within enclosures be assigned according to the level of associated risk.
The Chief Minister further instructed strict monitoring of all poultry farms in line with safety protocols and tight control over the movement of poultry products. He also directed the Health Department to assess the potential impact of H5 Avian Influenza on humans to prevent any risk of transmission to the public.
The Chief Minister mentioned that authorities should stay in regular contact with institutions like the Central Zoo Authority (New Delhi), National Centre for Disease Control, Ministry of Health, Department of Fisheries and Dairy, and the Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar (Bareilly) to seek advice and implement necessary actions accordingly.
