Center confirms H5N1 strain of avian influenza virus in Odisha

New Delhi: The union government has informed the Odisha government regarding the confirmation of H5N1 strain of avian influenza virus in Keranga village of Khordha district.

The Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has informed it to the state government.

The samples from the epicenter were sent to the National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD), Bhopal who confirmed that the samples were found positive in RT-PCR and Real time RT-PCR for H5N1 strain of Avian Influenza virus.

The state was requested to carry out the control and containment operations as per ‘Action Plan of Animal Husbandry for Preparedness, Control and Containment of Avian Influenza (2015)’ which was circulated to the states by the Government of India in March, 2015.

The union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare was also intimated in the matter.

The centre has directed to follow the Action Plan of Animal Husbandry including declaration of infected and surveillance areas, restricting access to the infected premises; destruction of birds; disposal of dead birds and infected materials;   clean-up and disinfection followed by sealing of the premises and issue of sanitization certificate.

It has also directed to carry out post operations surveillance and imposition of legislative measures.