The Hindu : Other States / Orissa News : Avian guests get health check-ups

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Nov 27, 2007
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Other States - Orissa

Avian guests get health check-ups

Staff Reporter

Several birds were found dead at Chilika last year

CDA and forest department collect blood samples to detect the presence of avian flu
Two special veterinary rescue units operate inside the Nalabana sanctuary

BERHAMPUR: Medical measures are being taken at Chilika Lake to guard the health of migratory avian guests reaching the lake traversing thousands of kilometers.

With the fall of winter the migratory birds have started to perch in the Chilika Lake especially in the Nalabana bird sanctuary area. The threat of possibility of presence of avian flu or bird flu affected birds among these winter migrants has made the Chilika Development Authority (CDA) and the Forest Department extra cautious. Any migratory bird showing signs of ailment is being treated with care.

According to Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the CDA Sudarshan Panda till now around 3.5 lakh migratory birds have reached the Chilika Lake. According to him the long flight of thousands of kilometers makes some birds exhausted. Some of the birds also die at the lake.

But now these deaths are being taken seriously and their blood samples are being tested to check possibility of bird flu epidemic.Even blood samples from sick birds are being collected and sent for testing.

The blood samples of these birds are being sent to the High Security Animal Diseases Laboratory, Bhopal and the Veterinary Diseases Diagnosis Research Laboratory in Kolkata, informed Mr. Panda.

Checking for fatigue

The migratory birds now have two special veterinary medical rescue units operating inside the Nalabana sanctuary.

All birds showing fatigue or sickness are being brought to the rescue centers.

They are administered glucose and antibiotics to fight exhaustion due to long flight and possibility of microbial infection besides, collecting blood samples and later released when they get well.

Experts from Bombay Natural History Society are also helping in this health care of birds and watch to check bird flu infection.

A workshop has been planned for the CDA staff, veterinary officials of the area, and forest officials for better preparedness to fight threat of bird flu.

Last year more than 300 migratory birds died due to dysentery.

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