State government fully alert to deal with bird flu: Chief Minister

Dharamshala: Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said that the state government is fully alert to deal with bird flu. For this, complete monitoring of the areas around Pong Dam is being ensured and Rapid Response Teams have also been formed.
In the Cabinet Auditorium at Dharamshala on Friday, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur chaired the review meeting of bird flu preparedness and said that the district administration, animal husbandry department and wildlife department with mutual coordination should work to prevent the spread of bird flu infection.

He said, “So far 3410 migratory birds have died due to bird flu in Pong Dam area of Kangra district and these birds are being buried with full protocol so that there is no risk of infection at any stage.  65 teams of the Animal Husbandry Department and Wildlife Department are monitoring the areas around Pong Dam.  In view of the seriousness of bird flu, samples of poultry have also been sent to RDDL Jalandhar for investigation by the Animal Husbandry Department.  It is also necessary to make people aware to avoid bird flu and departmental officers should also take necessary steps for this.”

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister reviewed the steps taken to prevent infection of Covid-19 in Kangra district and said that there are around 1200 positive cases of Covid-19 in the state, including 300 positive cases in Kangra district. He said, “After December 15, corona-positive cases have started to reduce, but still all people need to be vigilant. It is necessary to ensure compliance with the guidelines issued by the Government and Health Department regarding Covid-19.” The Chief Minister said that preparations for the vaccination campaign for Covid-19 have also been completed in the state and the vaccination campaign will be made successful only as per the prescribed instructions.

Jai Ram Thakur also reviewed the vaccination rehearsal at the zonal hospital Dharamshala.

Earlier, Deputy Commissioner Kangra Rakesh Prajapati gave detailed information about preparations to combat bird flu at Pong Dam in Kangra district. On this occasion, Veterinarian Dr. Vikram Singh, Chief  Conservator Forest Upasana Patial of the Wildlife Department presented a powerpoint presentation based on bird flu prevention. Chief Medical Officer Dr. Gurdarshan gave detailed information about the current status of Covid-19.

The meeting was attended by Assembly Speaker Vipin Singh Parmar, MLA Arjun Thakur, MLA Vishal Naihari, MLA Rita Dhiman, MLA Ravindra Dhiman, Superintendent of Police Vimukt Ranjan and other officials of various departments.