A day after cases of avian influenza (H5N8) popularly known as Bird Flu were reported among Crows in Anantnag and Shopian districts of south Kashmir, more samples have tested positive for the disease among domestic geese in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district.
News agency KNO quoted an official saying that samples of few geese were taken a few days ago from Saderkoot Payeen village in Hajin block of Bandipora, which have tested positive.
Following the development, District Magistrate Bandipora, Dr Owais Ahmad has declared the area within one kilometer of the epicentre as infected zone while as 10 kilometres from the epicentre have been declared as surveillance zones.
The infected zones comprise Khar Mohalla, Hajam Mohalla and Gojjerpatti of village Saderkoot Payeen while Saderkoot Bala, Ajas, Check Sadunara, Garoora and Nadihal as surveillance zones.
Tehsildar Ajas and Duty Office, PP Ajas have be asked to ensure complete ban on the inward and outward movement of all types of poultry birds/poultry products from the infected zone.
“They shall also ensure closure of all such markets/shops dealing with sale of poultry/poultry products in the infected zone. Chief Medical Officer, Bandipora, shall formulate one designated RRT for examining of staff of Animal Husbandry Department involved with operations in the Infected Zone and shall ensure adequate availability of Oseltamivir (TamiFlu drug) and Range Officer, Wildlife/Wetlands, Bandipora, shall take all possible steps to ensure that wild and stray birds do not have access to the poultry, poultry sheds and water supplies in the Infected Zone,” the order further states.