Authorities have begun the mopping up and sanitization operation in Williamnagar, the bird flu-hit area in western Meghalaya, even as slaughtering of domesticated fowls continued, an official said Friday.
"We have started the mopping up and sanitization operation on the Williamnagar farm - the epicentre of H5N1 virus - after 560 birds culled in the farm," said Animal husbandry and veterinary director D. Lyngwa.
Altogether, 1042 birds, including 480 domesticated fowls have been culled till this evening (Friday) within the three-kilometre radius of the government-run farm at Williamnagar, he said.
Lyngwa informed that a 13-member rapid response team was conducting the culling and mopping up operation at Williamnagar, the district headquarters of East Garo Hills. "The culling of birds in villages within the three-kilometre radius of the farm would continue to ensure there is no further outbreak of H5N1 virus in the district," he stated.
State authorities had recently sent samples to the High Security Animal Disease Laboratory (HSADL) in Bhopal, after more than 3,000 birds died since the past few weeks at the farm in Williamnagar.
The government said it would pay compensation to the owners of the culled fowls as per the guidelines of the Central government.
Though there has been no report of the infection spreading to humans, the health and family welfare department rushed a micro-biologist and a pathologist to Williamnagar. "A team of specialists is stationed at Williamnagar to monitor human health in view of the birds testing positive for H5N1.
The government will provide all necessary medicines," said state medical chief A.C. Hazarika. The government has asked all districts to monitor the health of all poultry. The movement and sale of poultry and poultry products from the affected area has been stopped.
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