Sale of poultry, fish banned in four sub divisions of Kangra district to control bird flu spread
After lab reports confirm H5N1 virus led to death of over 2,500 migratory birds at Pong Dam in a week, strict curbs, including fine of ₹50,000, imposed in adjoining Fatehpur, Dehra, Jawali and Indora sub divisions.
With over 2,700 migratory birds having died of the avian flu (H5N1) at Pong Dam in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh in the past week, the district administration on Tuesday imposed strict restrictions in four sub divisions adjoining the wetland.
Kangra deputy commissioner Rakesh Kumar Prajapati said that in the interest of protecting the health and safety of public at large, the sale, purchase and export of poultry, birds, and fish is prohibited in Fatehpur, Dehra, Jawali and Indora sub divisions.
“The slaughter of poultry, birds and fish in all slaughter houses or at home is barred in these four sub divisions,” Prajapati said adding that administration was on high alert to meet any eventuality as it arises.
The practice of offering feed to birds and fish is also prohibited. “No movement of humans shall be allowed within 1 km of Pong Dam or the alert zone except those related to managing the avian influenza outbreak,” he said.
No movement of livestock or domestic animals shall be allowed within 1km of Pong Lake and the deputy director, animal husbandry, shall deploy staff to ensure compliance in the area.
All agriculture or horticulture related activities are prohibited and staff of the two departments would be deployed to check such activities.
The chief conservator of forests, wildlife, North, will ensure the quick burial of the dead birds and disinfection of infected areas. Beyond the jurisdiction of the forest department, the task is assigned to deputy director, animal husbandry, who shall constitute rapid response teams, the DC said.
“The chief medical officer, Kangra, based at Dharamshala shall ensure stockpiling of medicines, personal protective equipment (PPE) kits and keep vigil of the human transmission of the avian influenza and keep details of the testing labs for bird flu ready,” Prajapati said.
No way to deal with bird migration
The DC also said there was no way to deal with the migration of birds. The arrival continues till March. “What we can do is protect our local population, humans as well as livestock, from infection.”
He said if virus spreads to the poultry, culling will be done. “We can’t stop inward or outward movement of the migratory birds,” said Prajapati. Most of the affected birds are bar-headed geese. Birds from other species such as the common teal, shoveler, river tern and black-headed gull were also found dead. These birds migrate from far of places including Siberia, Mongolia, China, Central Asia and Europe to Pong Wetland in winters.
He told that some local birds, mainly crows, have been found dead. Their samples have also been sent for testing and report is awaited.
Health dept has adequate resoruces: CMO
Kangra chief medical officer (CMO) Dr Gurdarshan Gupta said so far there have been no human transmission cases, but since the virus is contagious, the department is on high alert. Those handling the disposal of dead birds will be provided preventive equipment and medication. We have adequate stock of medicines, he said.
Meanwhile, chief conservator (wildlife) Upasana Patiyal said the dead birds were being buried as per protocol using lime and salt. All the personnel involved in the process are taking precautions and using PPE kits, she added.
