Bird Flu :: No bird flu infection from migratory birds

There has been no positive case of bird flu in Rajasthan, India, so far due to migratory birds coming across from Pakistan, a state animal husbandry official said on Monday, reported by PTI.

Apprehending the possible spread of the dreaded disease through migratory birds following reports that peacocks and pigeons in Pakistan were afflicted by H5N1 strain of virus (bird flu), all veterinary laboratories close to the international border were asked to keep a watch on livestocks to ensure they were infection-free, the official told PTI here.

About 1400 samples have tested negative against the bird flu in the state, he said, adding some water bodies were also examined by the experts. A close vigil was kept at all poultry farms and breeders were directed to take all precautions, the official said. The districts veterinary offices of Barmer, Jaisalmer, Bikaner, Srigangangar and Bharatpur were alert to deal with any exigency, he added.

Since 2004, some 270 humans have been infected with bird flu in 10 countries, with about 167 fatalities, mostly in Asia, according to the World Health Organization.

With the flu spreading around the world, the virus has turned up in birds in Asia, Europe and Africa. So far, bird flu has mostly been passed from birds either to other birds or, in isolated cases, to humans.


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