Centre issues bird flu alert

Hyderabad: The Centre has issued a health advisory to poultry owners to minimise human-bird interface due to avian influenza being reported in Delhi and Madhya Pradesh. Poultry owners in TS have been asked to not keep feed for the birds in the open which could attract migratory and local birds which could be carying the bird flu virus.

Carcasses of dead birds must not be kept out in the open for the eagles or crows to eat. They must be buried so that these birds do not enter the poultry farms. Dr Ameer Hamza, professor in veterinary college, explained, “The advisory has been issued as poultry gets infected very quickly. As there are thousands of birds in one shed, the infection spreads easily and becomes very difficult to control. Once the birds are infected, there is no option but cull them. This advisory has been issued  to keep the birds safe.”

Vaccination is one process through which the birds can be protected but it is not followed in India. Poultry owners said that the chicken were safe. As the temperatures fall in the north, birds which could be carrying the AH5N8 bird flu virus could migrate to South India, increasing the risk.