Samples of 3 dead birds found negative in Ludhiana

Manav Mander

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, January 15

Samples of all three birds, which were found dead in the city on Sunday, have come negative for avian flu.

Dr Paramdeep Singh, Assistant Deputy Director, Animal Husbandry Department, said samples of all three dead birds — two crows and one partridge — have tested negative.

“We are regularly collecting samples of birds from the district and on an average, nearly 50 samples are collected every day,” he said.

On Sunday, two crows were found dead at Dhandari and a partridge at Rose Garden here.

Meanwhile, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU) has issued an advisory for poultry farmers, handlers and consumers.

Dr Jasbir Bedi, director, School of Public Health and Zoonoses, GADVASU, said consumers must thoroughly cook poultry and poultry products, including eggs, before consumption. Proper cooking at above 70°C kills influenza viruses. Farm-to-farm transmission usually occurs through the movement of live birds, people and contaminated vehicles, equipment, etc. Entry of person or vehicles in the poultry farms should be regulated.

“One should inform local veterinarians in case he/she come across something aberrant, for example death of wild or migratory birds in the vicinity of the farm,” said Dr Rajnish Sharma, assistant professor, School of Public Health and Zoonoses..

What is bird flu

Bird flu is a disease of birds, caused by avian influenza type A virus, which could affect several kinds of birds, including wild birds, turkeys, quails, chicken and ducks. The virus is shed in faeces, nasal discharges and saliva of infected birds. Healthy birds become sick when they come in contact with the infected/reservoir birds or their secretions or contaminated feed, water or equipment. The disease rarely transmits from birds to humans. However, persons working in close contact with birds must follow proper personnel hygiene and safety measures.

Handling dead birds

• Don’t handle dead birds with bare hands.
• Dispose of dead birds cautiously under guidance of local veterinarians, either by burning or burying in a pit.
• While disposing of dead birds, one should wear mask, gloves and safety goggles.
• If gloves not available, use inverted polythene bag and wash your hands after disposal.
• Open water troughs or farm tanks should be covered to avoid faecal contamination by wild or migratory birds.
• Trees in farm or near its boundary should be pruned.
• Maintain sanitation of poultry farm and avoid introduction of birds of unknown disease status.

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