Tamil Nadu, particularly Chennai, has been put on high alert after it was confirmed that the death of over 1500 crows on the southern flank of the city and the East Coast Road was due to avian flu, the H5N1 virus.
The sudden death of a huge flock of crows last month in Adyar, Pallikaranai, Velachery, Thiruvanmiyur, ECR and the IT Corridor – Old Mamallapuram Road (OMR), has rattled the residents. Crows falling from trees, on residential apartments and public places like parks has triggered concern and alarm. Since these places fall under Kancheepuram district, officials from the Animal Disease Investigation team from there rushed to these places, collected samples and sent them for analysis to the Bhopal-based National Institute of Animal Disease Control.
With the test results confirming presence of avian influenza in the deceased birds, commonly called bird flu, the Union Government has alerted the state government to carry out intensive surveillance and preventive measures without any slackness. The virus poses the risk of spreading to other animals and possibly to humans as well, the Central Veterinary Research Institute has written to the Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary to immediately activate preventive measures.
The Tamil Nadu Animal Husbandry Department and the Department of Public Health have issued advisories warning the public not to panic and handle dead birds but inform the local authorities of such incidents. Since such deceased birds might be infected, authorities have been advised to bury them in 8-ft deep pits to prevent further spread of contamination. The Public Health Department is closely monitoring the situation.
With similar incidents reported in Kerala, officials said surveillance and monitoring have been intensified on the inter-state borders.