BHOPAL: Authorities in Madhya Pradesh have been put on high alert against the dreaded bird flu, which has hit the tribal- dominated Nandurbar district of Maharashtra. As Nandurbar is only 90 kms from the Madhya Pradesh border, an exercise has been launched on a war footing to collect samples from the districts bordering Maharashtra. The sample collection exercise is continuing in Khargone, Khandwa, Jhabua, Dhar and Badwani.

Prohibitory orders were imposed by the Badwani district authorities on Saturday to block entry of birds from Maharashtra. A State Veterinary department official posted at the specially set up control room in the State capital told The Hindu on Sunday that 375 samples had been collected from different parts of the State in the last 24 hours and sent to the High Security Animal Disease Laboratory here. Till Saturday evening not a single sample collected from the State had tested positive for H5N1 avian influenza (flu) virus, he added. At a specially -convened meeting of the State Animal Disease Emergency Committee (SADEC), chaired by the State Agriculture Production Commissioner, it was decided on Sunday that all incoming poultry should be quarantined for sampling and testing to rule out bird flu. The stocks of poultry entering the State at the Sendhwa and Khetia barriers were also stopped on Saturday.

The State Principal Secretary Fisheries and Animal Husbandry, Ranjana Chaudhary said on Sunday that since practically all migratory birds have started their onward journey due to the early onset of the summer season, the Forest department, Fisheries and Veterinary officials have been asked to focus on poultry. She further said that emergency teams for rapid action had also been formed in every district for culling and vaccination if the need arises.

It is learnt that the State Government has also raised a demand for 50,000 vaccines from the Centre. Official sources however disclosed that this demand was least likely to be met since the Animal Disease Laboratory has not tested a single sample collected from the State as positive for the avian flu virus.

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