Yamini

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a virtual meeting with chief ministers of states which have reported cases of bird flu. Mr Modi also advised other states, where bird flu is yet to reach, to maintain constant vigil.

The Prime Minister expressed hope that through proper coordination between the Forest, Health and Animal Husbandry Departments, we will be able to overcome this challenge soon.

He said that the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying has put in place a plan to tackle the problem, in which District Magistrates will have a key role. He asked Chief Ministers of the affected States to guide their DMs in this endeavour.

Till January 11, 2021, avian flu has been confirmed in 10 states of the country including Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana, Gujarat, Delhi and Maharashtra.

The central government has directed states to increase surveillance near water bodies. The Centre has also directed states to keep adequate stock of PPE kits and required material for the culling of birds.