H5N1 Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) spread confirmed in migratory birds of Pong Dam Reservoir of Himachal

Dharamshala: DC Kangra Rakesh Prajapati told this correspondent that It has been brought into his notice by the Chief Conservator of Forest Wildlife Dharamshala that many of migratory water birds in Pong Dam Lake Wildlife Sanctuary were found dead in mysterious conditions over the past two three days. He added that the sample of these birds carcasses been send to Bhopal.

He said that a report of the ICAR National Institute of High Security Animal Disease Bhopal confirmed that the death of these migratory birds in Wild Life Sanctuary, Pong Dam in Kangra district of Himachal is positive for H5N1 avian Influenza.

Prajapati said, “Sample of these Birds Carcases has also been sent to few other labs of the country for further confirmations. So, in order to prevent any further spread of this contagious disease, preventive measures need to be taken in and around one kilometre of Pong Dam reservoir as per set protocol.”

He added that he is satisfied that there is a real and imminent threat to life of the citizens near the reservoir, due to recent surge of this mysterious death of these migratory birds and possibility of further danger to human and animal life few restrictions are being imposed.

DC said that human and domestic livestock activities have been banned in the alert zone till further orders. He said, “The concerned departments shall keep strict vigil in 1 kilometres of  Alert Zone and next nine kilometre of Surveillance Zone. All tourists’ activities shall be suspended in Pong dam reservoir till further orders.  

The Deputy Commissioner has advised to take special precautions at Poultry Farm in the area . Apart from this, the sale of chicken and eggs has been banned in four subdivisions of Kangra namely- Indora, Fatehpur, Jawali and Dehra. The shops concerned will be closed from today until further orders. These four subdivisions are adjacent to the Pong Dam. In such a situation, the administration has issued an alert here.

As per centre for disease prevention government of India, Avian flu or influenza refers to the disease caused by infection with avian influenza viruses. These viruses occur naturally among wild aquatic birds worldwide and can infect domestic poultry and other bird and animal species. Avian flu viruses do not normally infect humans. However, sporadic human infections with avian flu viruses have occurred.

Avian influenza A viruses are very contagious among birds and some of these viruses can sicken and even kill certain domesticated bird species, including chickens, ducks, and turkeys. Infected bids can shed avian influenza A viruses in their saliva, nasal secretions, and faeces. Susceptible birds become infected when they have contact with the virus as it is shed by infected birds. They also can become infected through contact with surfaces that are contaminated with virus from infected birds.

Maharana Pratap Sagar, in Himachal, also known as Pong Reservoir or Pong Dam Lake was created in 1975 on Beas river.