No imminent bird flu risk: Govt

Bhopal, Mar 22: Madhya Pradesh faces no imminent danger from avian influenza and all 960 samples, suspected to contain the virus, tested negative, authorities said here.

The death of more than 100 swine in Indore and Guna districts was not linked to bird flu. The pigs died due to a common infection and there was no apprehension of it spreading among other animals or humans, they said.

Commissioner (Veterinary Services) Rajesh Rajora yesterday said here, ''Several precautionary steps have been taken in this state after samples from Maharashtra's Nandurbar and Jalgaon and Gujarat's Uchhal tested positive.'' Poultry and poultry products were being specially monitored along common borders with the two states. Poultry farms, hatcheries and migratory birds' destinations were being inspected and a disease survey was underway.

''Until now, 3,394 samples from within Madhya Pradesh were sent to the Bhopal-based High Security Animal Disease Laboratory.

Directives were issued for additional alertness in Badwani, Jhabua, Khandwa, Khargone, Betul, Dhar, Dewas, Indore, Hoshangabad and Harda districts,'' said Dr Rajora.

UNI