It's official now: India is free from bird flu. This news has brought much relief to the Indian people. These days we do not hear much about bird flu. However, this of just 4-5 months ago- everyone seemed to be scared of bird flu that time. India was not an exception either. I just found an official version about the matter from the Indian government in the website of PIB. I am quoting from it:
"India has declared that it has regained its status as an Avian Influenza-free country. The final report in this regard has been sent by the Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries to the Office International des Epizooties (OIE) (World Organisation of Animal Health) on 11th August 2006.
On 18th February 2006, India had notified the OIE of an outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza [HPAI (H5N1)] in Navapur and Uchchal area of the States of Maharashtra and Gujarat. Further outbreaks were notified in Jalgaon District of Maharashtra with spillover into the adjoining part of Madhya Pradesh State. The last outbreak was detected on 18th April 2006 in Jalgaon District of Maharashtra State. There has been no further outbreak of Avian Influenza in India after 18th April 2006.
The Government had initiated control and containment measures immediately in all outbreak areas. The control measures adopted in the outbreak areas included stamping out of entire poultry population including destruction of eggs, feed, litter and other consumables and infected materials in a radius of 10 Km. around each outbreak location, restrictions on movement of poultry/ poultry products and personnel to and from the area of outbreak, disinfection and cleaning up of the infected premises etc. Final culling operations were completed on 27th April 2006. Following the last outbreak reported, final cleaning up and disinfection process was completed on 7th May 2006. All the measures adopted helped in preventing spread of the disease further. The Government had paid compensation to all the poultry owners whose birds were killed in operations. The Government of India also released a financial relief package as part of measures for the poultry industry."
This announcement has brought a sense of relief to everyone in India. I am very happy for the people employed in the poultry sector. They suffered too much because of the bird flu crisis. Some farmers lost everything and even committed suicide. Poultry is a flourishing sector in India. More than 5 million people in India are related to this sector directly and indirectly and poultry industry has an annual turnover of $6.76 billion in India. I am really very happy for all these 5 million people.
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