Bird Flu Alert Sounded In Orrisa, Due To Imigration Of Winter Birds

Authorities have sounded high alert of bird flu in Orissa following the flocking of several species of migratory birds in the Bhitarkanika National Park in Bhubaneshwar.

As hundreds of migratory birds have started flocking the Bhitarkanika National Park in Bhubaneshwar, authorities have sounded high alert following the outbreak of bird flu in West Bengal.

Several migratory birds and residential avian species like sand piper, plover, duck, goose, heron, spoon bill and egret flock the park every winter.

Avian Influenza / Bird Flu-Causes-Symptoms-Treatment- FAQs
Bird flu (avian influenza/avian flu) is a disease caused by an influenza virus (H5N1) that primarily affects birds but can infect humans also.

Avocet, which comes from cold places like Siberia and Bar-headed Geese from Ladakh, were also sighted near Raitapatia and Chataka.

A horde of 206 Indian Skimmers was flocking at Barunes. Brahmin ducks were also spotted at Raitapatia.

The Annual bird census 2008 carried out by the park authorities found that 79 types of water bird species thronged the park this year.

West Bengal Hit by Bird Flu
The high risk disease detection laboratory of Bhopal has reported an outbreak of bird flu at English Bazar in Malda district of West Bengal.

During the bird census, the forest officials have sighted seven types of winter migratory birds' species, which are listed in the Red Data book of International Union Conservation (IUCN).

This year the number of birds visiting the region has declined. Last year about 1.31 lakh of birds had flocked the park area.

Bird Flu Alert Sounded In Orrisa, Due To Imigration Of Winter birds
The fear of bird flu has gripped Bengal again after over 402 birds were found to be affected by the virus in Falakata village.

The state forest department was maintaining a strict vigil and was carefully working to check the presence of the deadly H5N1 avian influenza virus.

"Some of our ranger officers have got training regarding the bird flu and have alerted all our staff," said Arvind Mishra, a range officer.

Bird Flu Panic In Manipur
Even before the battle to check the spread of the virus in West Bengal by the authorities could subside, fear of the bird flu gripped people in Manipur.

Hundreds of veterinary workers in Malda district of West Bengal began killing up to 16,000 chickens and ducks in mid December as authorities tried to contain the latest outbreak of the H5N1 bird flu virus in the region.

Source-ANI
PRI/L