India is now free from bird flu

New Delhi: The government on Thursday has declared the country free from highly pathogenic Avian Influenza ( H5N1 and H5N8), commonly known as bird flu.

During October 2016 and February 2017, the outbreak of this infectious viral disease of birds was reported at various epicentres in nine states and Union Territories.

A statement issued by the Agriculture Ministry said, surveillance has been completed in Delhi, Daman, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Karnataka, Kerala, Gujarat, Odisha and it showed no evidence of presence of bird flu.

It said, "In view of the above, India has declared itself free from Avian Influenza (H5N8 and H5N1) from 6 June, 2017 and notified the same to World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE)."

The Ministry said that the outbreak of highly pathogenic bird flu was reported in Delhi, Gwalior (MP), Rajpura (Punjab), Hissar (Haryana), Bellary (Karnataka), Alappuzha and Kottayam (Kerala), Ahmedabad (Gujarat), Daman and Khordha and Angul (Odisha).

The statement added, these outbreaks were notified to OIE and the control and containment operations were carried out as per the 'Action plan on preparedness, control and containment of Avian Influenza'.

(With PTI inputs)