Bird Flu Alert in Garhwal: Poultry Transport from UP Banned for a Week as Precaution

DAINIK NATION BUREAU/PAURI GARHWAL

The Garhwal district administration has imposed immediate precautionary measures after confirmation of H5N1 Avian Influenza (bird flu) cases in several villages of Bilaspur block in neighbouring Rampur district, Uttar Pradesh.

District Magistrate Swati S. Bhadoria has directed that intensive checks of poultry products be conducted within a 10-km surveillance zone adjacent to the infected area. Departments of Animal Husbandry, Health, and other related agencies have been placed on high alert and instructed to take prompt preventive action.

As part of the safety measures, the transportation of poultry birds, eggs, and poultry meat from Uttar Pradesh into Pauri Garhwal will be prohibited from August 13 for one week. Police stations and check-posts have been ordered to maintain strict vigilance at all district entry points to ensure compliance.

Additional Director of the Animal Husbandry Department, Garhwal, informed that all veterinary officers have been tasked with regular inspections of poultry farms, immediate reporting of any unusual bird deaths, and dispatching of suspicious samples to the High Security Animal Disease Laboratory in Bhopal. Random serum sampling will also be conducted for laboratory testing.

The district administration has urged residents not to panic or spread rumours, but to remain vigilant. People are advised to report any unusual bird deaths or suspected bird flu symptoms to the nearest animal husbandry or administrative office so that swift measures can be taken to prevent the possible spread of the infection.