A case of bird flu has been confirmed at the government poultry farm in Koni, Bilaspur district, in Chhattisgarh. The district administration isn’t taking any chances and is taking all the precautionary measures to control the crisis. The authorities have marked a one-kilometre radius around the farm as an infected zone and a 10-kilometre radius as a surveillance zone where officials will keep a close watch.
The confirmation of bird flu infection came from a lab in Bhopal, where samples sent by the veterinary department were tested. Once the report arrived, the district administration, along with the animal husbandry and health departments, started joint containment work.
The sale, purchase and transport of all poultry products within the surveillance zone have been banned. Police, forest and transport departments have been asked to set up checkpoints at different places to keep track of the movement of chickens and other birds.
The infected zone includes Ramakrishna Paramhans Nagar and Vidyasagar Nagar wards. Several adjoining areas fall under the surveillance zone. Teams from health and animal husbandry are out in these areas, monitoring the situation and doing whatever is needed.
Bilaspur collector Sanjay Agrawal said that everything is being done in accordance with the Avian Influenza Action Plan. The concerned departments have been asked to stay alert and file regular reports.
Sanjay Agrawal has appealed to people not to spread or believe rumours, and to follow the guidelines issued by the administration. He also warned that strict action will be taken against anyone found violating the rules.