Mizoram Birdflu alert

AIZAWL, DEC 6 (PTI) With avian influenza detected in neighbouring Myanmar, Bangladesh and in Assam, Mizoram government prohibited import of egg, chicken, bird and pig from these countries and neighbouring states, state Animal Husbandry and Veterinary director C Sangnghina said here today. Sangnghina told PTI that the state being sandwiched between Myanmar and Bangladesh and also sharing border with Assam which detected cases of avian flu, the Mizoram government revived its prohibition on import of chicken and other animals, suspected to be carriers of the dreaded disease. "The international borders as well as inter-state borders are sealed by the respective deputy commissioners adjoining the border areas," he said. He also said that rapid respone teams, created by the department along the border areas were alerted to prevent not only import of animals, scientifically identified as carrier of the bird flu, the teams were instructed to remain alert if any infections are detected in the state. He said that whenever any suspected avian disease were reported the teams collected the samples of the infected or dead animals for scientific tests at Bhopal. "No avian flu had so far being detected in the state till date, thanks to the alertness of our officials since the disease was detected in many parts of the world including the neighbouring countries," he added.