Newmai News Network
Imphal | January 13
Manipur Veterinary Minister Oinam Lukhoi Singh has said that no cases of bird flu have been reported in Manipur but preventive measures and immediate steps for active target surveillance against the disease have been taken up by the Department of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry.
At a press briefing on Wednesday, the Minister stated that as a precautionary measure, the government has already imposed a “temporary ban” on entry of poultry and poultry products such as eggs, meat and live birds including ducks, guinea fowls, turkey and quails to the state through all the National Highways connecting the State and airport, in view of the reported outbreak of the highly pathogenic Avian Influenza in other parts of the country.
The order, issued by the state Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Commissioner on January 11 stated that the step was taken up as a precautionary measure and in the interest of preventing escalation of the disease in Manipur and other north eastern states.
Lukhoi also said that the Veterinary Department has set up a Rapid Response Team (RRT) in all the districts with the collaboration of Deputy Commissioners, District Superintendents of Police and District Veterinary Officers of the border districts shall take all required steps.
During the briefing, the Minister also informed that the contagious African Swine Fever (ASF) has been reported in the Salungpham area in Thoubal district and Nongmaiching Chingkhong(Wakha) area in Imphal East district. He however added that the situation is under control.
In this regard, the district administration, Thoubal in its order issued on January 2, under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Contagious Diseases in Animals Act 2009, notified “controlled areas” for ASF at Kangyambem, Lokchao, Salungpham Mamang Leikai, he said.
Ban on sale of pig, pork, feed and related items in these “controlled areas” and “infected zones” have also been imposed, Lukhoi said.
The Minister meanwhile appealed citizens not to panic as the government is actively taking up all preventive measures through the state Veterinary Department.
