Bird flu confirmed among poultry in Kashmir

Baramulla: After crows, the first case of Avian Influenza, commonly known as Bird Flu has been confirmed among poultry in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Saturday.

Quoting unnamed officials, KNO reported that a sample of poultry from Iqbal market Baramulla was taken, which was declared positive following which ten kilometres from the epicenter has been declared as ‘Alert Zone’.

“Director Animal Husbandry Department Kashmir vide letter number DAIIK/Tech/A-59/18534-40 Dated: 24.02 2021 has intimated that a sample of poultry from lqbal Market, Old Town Baramula has been declared positive for Avian Influenza virus (HSN8) by the ICAR NISHAD and it has been recommended that surveillance of the affected areas be intensified besides declaring the epicenters as Alert Zones to check the spread of the Influenza,” reads the order issued by district magistrate Baramulla.

“Now, therefore, in view of above, a radius of 10 KM from the Khan Chicken point Iqbal Market, Old Town Baramulla is hereby declared as ‘Alert Zones’. Accordingly, Animal Husbandry Department shall keep the aforementioned area/Market under surveillance and conduct random sampling within 10 KM of the said shop,” it further added.

Pertinently, cases of Avian Influenza have been reported among crows in eight districts of J&K and among domestic birds in two districts of J&K so far. (KNO)