Avian flu scare: Unwell bird spotted in village field

Tribune News Service
Ludhiana, January 19

A bird was found unwell in a field of Dhaipai village, Pakhowal Road, today. Besides, six more birds were also spotted in the same field who were unable to fly. The Wildlife Department has collected a sample and sent it for testing, keeping in view the bird flu scare.

A morning walker today noticed five-six lapwig birds siting in a cluster in a field of Dhaipai village. When he approached them to have a look, all of them walked away. None was able to fly while one was not even able to walk and froth was coming out of its mouth.

Seems like case of food poisoning: Official

Neeraj Gupta, District Forest Officer (Wildlife), said the range officer and the veterinary officer had gone to the site and collected sample of the bird. Only one bird was there while all others had gone away. “According to the veterinary officer, it seems a case of food poisoning. We have asked people to keep a watch on the bird but do not go near it as a precautionary measure,” he said.

Amandeep Singh, who saw the birds, said he noticed that the birds were unable to fly and started walking away slowly when they saw him.

“I contacted the Wildlife Department at a helpline number and after some time, A team of 15-20 persons visited the spot. When the team arrived, the other six birds had gone away slowly while one that was unable to walk was left. The team examined the ill bird,” he said.

Neeraj Gupta, District Forest Officer (Wildlife), said the range officer and the veterinary officer had gone to the site and collected sample of the bird. Only one bird was there while all others had gone away.

“According to the veterinary officer, it seems a case of food poisoning. We have asked people to keep a watch on the bird but do not go near it as a precautionary measure,” he said.

Dr Paramdeep Singh, Assistant Deputy Director, Animal Husbandry Department, said the Wildlife Department’s team also went along and they had taken the sample of the bird and sent for testing at the laboratory in Jalandhar.

“Rest of the birds went away when the team reached the spot and only one bird was present. It seems that the bird is unwell and there is nothing to fear about,” he said.

Amandeep said they had kept the bird under a jute basket to protect it from other animals and have also kept grains for it.

“We are not going near it as a precautionary measure,” he said.

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