No need to panic though, says veterinary department
Imphal, Feb. 24 : Manipur veterinary department has put all the districts on full alert following the outbreak of bird flu in Tripura.
However, the department said there was no cause for alarm in the state.
The Tripura government culled 4,000 ducks and chicken at the RK farm and plans to cull poultry birds within 3km radius of the infected farm.
The state government has also closed down poultry and egg markets within a radius of 10km of the farm to prevent the spread of the virus. This is the second outbreak in Tripura since 2008.
Manipur experienced an outbreak of bird flu for the first time in July 2007, after a strain of avian influenza was detected at a private poultry farm on the outskirts of Imphal city. Manipur was declared bird-flu free within four months of the outbreak.
The veterinary department culled 3.39lakh poultry, damaged 28,262 eggs and destroyed 25,944kg of chicken feed during the monthlong operation carried out within a 5km radius of the infected farm.
The department also spent Rs 2.43crore in controlling the outbreak. Fortunately, the outbreak of avian influenza did not affect human beings in the region.
“We are on high alert and there is no reason to panic as the situation is well under control in Manipur,” state veterinary and animal husbandry director Th. Jiban said.
The official said the department has been sending blood samples of poultry from all the districts to the regional diseases diagnostic centre in Calcutta every month. However, none of the samples tested positive.
The official also said he had instructed joint directors of his department to be on maximum alert.
Officials posted at Moreh, on the Manipur-Myanmar border, have been on high alert and blood samples are being collected for tests.
Poultry birds have been regularly brought to Moreh from neighbouring Myanmar for sale. India and Myanmar have brisk border trade through Moreh and Tamu of Myanmar.
“So far, we have not put any ban on import of poultry birds and products. If necessary, we will impose a ban on poultry birds and their products,” the official said.