DK district admin initiates safety measures to stem spread of bird flu

DK district admin initiates safety measures to stem spread of bird flu

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Nov 30, 2014: DK Deputy commissioner A B Ibrahim said there is no need to panic about H5N1 (avian influenza / bird flu) as it is reported in parts of Kerala down in the South, more than 600 kms away from Mangaluru. The DC on Saturday convened a meeting of officials of animal husbandry and veterinary sciences and poultry farm representatives in the wake of H5N1 outbreak in Kerala. Ibrahim said precautions should be taken to prevent the spread of H5N1 in the district.

DC directed the officials of animal husbandry and veterinary sciences to check all vehicles compulsorily if it carries poultry from Kerala to districts in South Karnataka and directed them to visit poultry farms in the district. "People in the district need not panic as farms and shops here do not bring poultry from Kerala. Meanwhile, poultry from Dakshina Kannada is being transported to Northern parts of Kerala.  However, we have to take necessary precautions to ensure that the disease does not spread. Checking is compulsory for all poultry trucks at all border check posts.

Trucks that carry poultry to Kerala should be disinfected while returning to the district," Ibrahim said. "There is no threat of H5N1 spread if the meat is boiled at 70 degree centigrade. Eating poultry cooked at or above 70° Celsius, so that absolutely no meat remains raw and red, is totally safe," he said. Animal husbandry and veterinary sciences department deputy director requested poultry farm owners in the district to report immediately if they find symptoms of running nose, vomiting, weakness and laying soft eggs in birds. In case of death of a bird,  its carcass should be sent to the department for analysis.  Citizens should be vigilant in any case.