Nagaland issues Bird flu alert

Kohima Jan 20: In the wake of official reports of Bird flu (H5N1) in West Bengal and some other neighbouring countries, the Nagaland Veterinary Directorate has issued a list of precautionary measures for the state.

In a release here today, Additional Director of the Veterinary and Animal Husbandry (VAH) L S Moses stated Nagaland was extremely vulnerable as most of the poultry products for commercial purposes come from West Bengal, which has recently been confirmed to have suspected cases of H5N1 strain.

Multiple outbreaks have also been reported in Pakistan, Myanmar, Bangladesh and some other neighbouring countries.

The VAH, in this regard, issued preparatory measures to control and contain the disease, with particular reference to poultry farmers, chicken handlers, sellers, transporters and consumers for safety. It had also directed all district, sub-divisional offices under VAH to immediately inform any death of birds in any part and send samples immediately among other directives.

UNI