KOLKATA, Nov. 27The state government sought the Centre’s assistance to prevent the spread of the H5N1 virus in the state.
In the wake of a Bird Flu outbreak in the neighbouring Bangladesh, the state blamed its failure in carrying out surveillance of poultry in the Darjeeling Hill on the agitation of the Gorkha Jana Mukti Morcha. The state ARD officials could not carry out surveillance in Darjeeling due to the ongoing impasse.
Recently, the department of animal husbandry and dairying has asked the state to maintain strong surveillance on poultry in all districts following a Bird Flu outbreak in Bangladesh. But, a few senior officials of state animal resources development department said though all possible steps have been initiated in all districts, no such step could be initiated in Darjeeling.
Mr Anisur Rahman, state ARD minister, admitted that they were finding it difficult to carry out surveillance of poultry as directed by the Centre.
“We have informed the Centre about the situation. We have sought their assistance to maintain surveillance as our officials are facing trouble to carry out the programme which is needed to nip the H5N1 virus in the bud,” the minister said.
It may be recalled that the state suffered hugely after it failed to check the spread of the H5N1 virus in January last year.
The Centre has issued a caution notice after news of Bird Flu hitting Bangladesh spread. Last time also, it was found that the virus had entered the state through Bangladesh. As the state failed to react on time to the threat, the virus had spread to as many as 16 districts. The Centre had also held the lackadaisical attitude of the state responsible for the rapid spread of the virus.
“Though the Centre said that initial steps to control the virus were delayed, the entire containment process was carried out very efficiently especially if it is considered that the outbreak took place in backyard poultry. However, we are leaving no stone unturned this year. We have also asked the Centre to inform us if any Bird Flu case is confirmed in the earliest so that we can initiate proper steps to nip the problem in the bud,” the minister added.
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