The government on Thursday disclosed that Avian Influenza (H5N1) was detected by the ICAR-National Institute of High-Security Animal Disease, Bhopal from the samples received from the Government Poultry Farm at Bokaro, Jharkhand on 17 February.

The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying issued a notification to this effect on 20 February, an official press note said. The last occurrence of Avian Influenza was reported in the Godda district of Jharkhand in January 2019.

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The state has been advised to carry out the control and containment operations as per the Action Plan for Prevention, Control and Containment of Avian Influenza (2021).

The ministry deputed a two-member central team to assist the state in the control and containment operations. Also, the Ministry of Health has deputed a central team to overview the surveillance in the human sector.

The Secretary of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairing had a telephonic conversation with officials in the Government of Jharkhand regarding appropriate preventive measures and assured all support from the Centre.

The Animal Husbandry Commissioner also had a discussion with the state animal husbandry departments of Jharkhand and West Bengal and advised them to take effective measures so that the disease does not spread to other parts. Further, the animal husbandry commissioner took a virtual meeting with the concerned officials of the animal husbandry department of Jharkhand for sensitising all before initiation of control and containment measures as per the action plan.

Compensation is to be paid to the farmers whose poultry birds, eggs and poultry feed are culled/disposed of by the state as per the action plan.

The state has been advised to maintain sufficient stock of PPE kits and other accessories required for culling operations. The state has been requested to coordinate with the departments of health and forest and sensitise them about Avian Influenza.

The Department is in constant interaction with state government officials and is having a constant vigil on the situation, the press note added.