Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 14 Aug: Following the confirmation of a bird flu outbreak in Uttar Pradesh, the Dehradun district administration is on high alert. To prevent the spread of the disease, District Magistrate Savin Bansal today held a crucial meeting with all officials concerned at the District Collectorate and directed them to remain vigilant and act in a coordinated manner. Avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, is a highly contagious viral disease that primarily affects birds but can, though rarely, spread to humans.
The DM instructed the Animal Husbandry Department to take random samples from all 170 poultry farms in the district within three days and send them for testing as a precautionary measure. Bansal also directed the department to maintain regular surveillance of these farms and activate the rapid response teams. The Forest Department was asked to monitor birds near ponds, lakes, and rivers and to immediately inform the veterinary department if any dead or sick birds are found.
During the meeting, the DM also clarified that as no cases of bird flu have been reported from poultry farms in the district so far, there are no restrictions on them for now. He also asked the Sainik Kalyan Adhikari to alert the Army and paramilitary force headquarters located in the district.
The DM instructed the police department to set up check posts at all border points adjacent to Uttar Pradesh and to prohibit the entry of live chickens, chicken meat, and eggs from outside the state until further orders. He also directed the officials to immediately seal any unauthorised meat shops operating in the district. Furthermore, the DM also instructed all the Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDMs), the veterinary officers, and the municipal bodies within the district to hold meetings with poultry farm associations and chicken meat traders in their respective areas to raise awareness.
The meeting was also attended by Chief Development Officer Abhinav Shah, City Magistrate Pratyush Singh, SDM Kumkum Joshi, Deputy Municipal Commissioner Santosh Kumar Pandey, Chief Medical Officer Dr Mukesh Kumar Sharma, Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO) Dr SC Joshi, and other officials from relevant departments.
