As of 15 January, 2021, Avian Influenza (AI) has been confirmed in wild birds in Burhanpur, Rajgarh, Dindori, Chhindwara, Mandla, Harda, Dhar, Sagar and Satna districts of Madhya Pradesh (crows and pigeons).; Dehradun district of Uttarakhand (Crows and Kite); Rohini in Delhi (crow) and Jaipur Zoo in Rajasthan (Duck and Black Stork).

Moreover, cases of AI in poultry has been confirmed from Anand/ Bhagirath Kalosiya in Harda district of Madhya Pradesh and G.S. Poultry farm Balod district of Chhattisgarh. Altogether, 11 states in the country have been affected by AI.

Steps to make the general public aware about the disease is being undertaken. Also, efforts to remove misinformation about avian influenza among the people is underway.

In pursuance of the VC meeting with the Animal Husbandry Departments of the States / UTs, Secretary (DAHD) has also written to the Chief Secretaries / Administrators of states / UTs AI is not new to the country but has been reported every year since 2006. The country has been effectively controlling the disease. It was reiterated that the virus gets destroyed easily at 70 degrees Centigrade and therefore, properly cooked poultry and poultry products are safe for human consumption. Accordingly, states have been requested to instruct the authorities concerned not to impose ban and allow selling of poultry and poultry products sourced from AI-free areas / states.

APS/MG                                                     **************