Now, Avian influenza breaks out in domestic geese in Bandipora

SRINAGAR, FEB 23 : A day after cases of avian influenza (H5N8) popularly known as bird flu were reported among Crows in Anantnag and Shopian districts of South Kashmir, cases of avian influenza have been now reported among domestic geese in Bandipora district of North Kashmir. 
An official said that samples of few geese were taken few days before from Saderkoot payeen village in Hajin block of Bandipora, which have been reported positive. 
District Magistrate Bandipora Dr Owais Ahmad has declared one kilometre from the epicentre as infected zone while as 10 kilometres from the epicentre have been declared as Surveillance zones. 
“Whereas, Animal/Sheep Husbandry & Fisheries Department, J&K, Jammu, vide Government Notfication dated 22d February, 2021, issued under endorsement No.ASH/Plan/29/2020 dated 22-02-2021, has notified the outbreak of Avian Influenza (H5N8) in domestic geese in Khar Mohalla, Saderkoot Payeen, District Bandipora;Whereas, the said outbreak has necessitated the initiation of certain control and containment measures including the declaration of villages and habitations as “Infected” and “Surveillance zones,” reads an order 
“In view of the above, and in order to control and contain the spread of AvianInfluenza, 1, Dr. Owais Ahmad, IAS, Deputy Commissioner, Bandipora, in terms of instructions contained in above referred Government Notification and the Revised Acton Plan for Prevention, Control & Containment of Avian Influenza- 2021 issued by Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Govt. of India, do hereby order, as under, Habitation within 01 km radius from epicenter viz Khar Mohallah, Hajam Mohallah & Gojjerpatti of village Saderkoot Payeen are dedlared as “Infected Zone, Villages within 10 kms radius from epicenter viz Saderkoot Bala, Ajas, CheckSadunara, Garoora and Nadihal are declared as Surveillance Zones, it further adds. 
“Chief Animal Husbandry Officer, Bandipora, shall immediately initiate following measures, he shall act as supervisory officer for all technical operations in Infected and Surveillance in general, however, in respect of operations involvingmigratory & wild birds, Range officer, Widlife/Wetland, Bandipora, shall be the supervisory officers, he shall establish a 24×7 Control Room with designated manpower for effective reception& dissemination of the relevant information and cordination of different operations and reception of grievances/reports of outbreak, he shall immediately constitute & deploy the required number of Rapid response Teams in the Infected & Surveillance Zones, he shall also make adequate arrangements for all the required logistics viz PPE Kits/ Dlisinfectants /Slack Lime/Rain Coats/Gum Boots/Kerosine/etc and he shall also undertake depopulation of birds in the Infected Zone as per The procedures mentioned in the Action Plan, it further adds. 
Tehsildar Ajas and Duty Office, PP Ajas, shall ensure complete ban on theinward/outward movement of all types of poultry birds/poultry products from theInfected Zone. They shall also ensure closure of all such Markets/shops dealingwith sale of poultry/poultry products in the Infected one, Chief Medical Officer, Bandipora, shall formulate one designated RRT for examining of staff of Animal Husbandry Department involved with operations in the Infected Zone and shall ensure adequate availability of Oseltamivir (TamiFlu Drug) and Range Officer, Wildlife/Wetlands, Bandipora, shal take all possible steps to ensure that wild and stray birds do not have access to the poultry, poultry sheds and water supplies in the Infected Zone.