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The
lethal bird flu that has hit Maharashtra has cast its shadow over
Gurgaon too, with district administrator sounding alert and taking
preventive measures to check the spread of H5NI virus that causes
bird flu. The animal husbandry Department, Wild Life Department
and Health Department are gearing up to tackle any eventuality.
While samples from poultry farms have yet not been taken, the
district authorities have started taking stock of the poultry
farms. Also, the district health authorities have set up special
Insulation Ward in the General Hospital for any suspected cases of
bird flu.
Haryana
government has constituted a 3-member Rapid Action Team (RAT)
comprising, Director, Animal Husbandry Dairying; Chief Wildlife
Warden and Director, Health Services besides reactivating the
district level committees of animal disease emergency and district
vigilance teams. A constant vigil is being maintained by wildlife
officials at the wetlands and temporary abodes of migratory birds.
Under strict observation are the Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary and
nearby Bhindwas Sanctuary and Badkhal Lake falling in Gurgaon
Division.
Sultanpur
Lake has caused alarm in early winter months of 2005 after the
death of some migratory birds. However, later the blood samples of
birds ruled out any infectious disease. The wildlife staff at
Sultanpur Lake has been monitoring the activities of migratory
birds.
According
to Wetlands International officials, bird migration into the
country were over by around November and if migratory birds had
brought the virus, there have would been the breakout of the bird
flu much earlier. The migratory birds are now preparing to return
to their spring breeding grounds. The wildlife officials at
Sultanpur Lake are somewhat relieved that migratory birds of about
six dozen species have already left and remaining about two dozen
species birds are preparing to leave.
By
Vinod Behl, Gurgaon Plus, (The Times of India) 1 March 2006
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