Bird flu recurrence in WB, Orissa put on caution

Via NewIndPress.com: Bird flu recurrence in WB, Orissa put on caution.

The recurrence of bird flu in West Bengal has triggered apprehensions in Orissa once again.

The State has been keeping a strict vigil along the border ever since the killer influenza raised its ugly head earlier this year but the WB experience has come as a caution.

Alarmed by the development, veterinarians have demanded a detailed probe into resurfacing of the killer flu in the neighbouring state. They have gone on to submit a memorandum to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik seeking his intervention in impressing the Centre for an investigation since the State is most vulnerable to any fresh outbreak.

Director, Veterinary Services and Animal Husbandry Bishnupada Sethi, however said the preventive and surveillance measures are continuing as before. "We have not discontinued any of the initiatives we launched in January. The same will go on," he said.

The umbrella outfit of veterinary doctors who have been deployed along three bordering districts of the State, however, has raised questions about culling exercise carried out by WB.

‘It appears that the culling operation in WB has not been done properly leading to the recurrence and exposing poultry farmers as well as public of Orissa to the hazards,’ said president of Orissa Veterinary Association Dr. Ramakanta Mohapatra.

The association felt that the resurfacing of bird flu has led to a situation wherein any clandestine entry of poultry birds and products can create havoc in Orissa.