Borders sealed to avert Bird Flu in UP

Gorakhpur, Jan 31: To check the spread of Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) in eastern Uttar Pradesh, the state government has sealed the borders adjoining Bihar and Nepal. The epidemic has already affected West Bengal and Bihar.

''Now, no poultry product would be allowed to pass through Barhailganj, Tamkuhi, Nautanva and Varanasi check posts from Bihar and Nepal,'' Deputy Director of Animal Husbandry Dr Markandey today told the sources. Necessary directives had been passed and medical teams set up as other precautions, he added. The medicos are also spreading awareness about the Avian Influenza in the area. Besides the road route, restriction has been imposed on the entry of poultry product from West Bengal, Bihar and Nepal through railways.

Till now, no case of the epidemic has come to light in UP, Mr Markandey informed. With the Bird Flu threat looming large over UP, thousands of chikens imported from West Bengal were buried alive in Shajahanpur yesterday.

The action came in wake of the report of the transportation of about 257 cases of chicken (about 10,000 pieces) by Bibhuti Express to Varanasi from Burdwan in West Bengal on January 26.

Besides, orders had been passed to bury other 8,000 chikens at the earliest. Earlier, UP government had issued high Bird Flu alert across the state, following reports of chicken from West Bengal being smuggled in some parts of the state.

Uttar Pradesh, the most populous state in India, is one of the biggest consumer of poultry products in the country with about 300,000 chicken and nearly 15 million eggs are consumed every day.

UNI