Urging people not to get panic as there was no report of bird blue in the Jammu and Kashmir, the administration however, issued an advisory to all stake holders, including poultry owners, dealers, retailers and consumers for prevention of ingress of the flue into the Union Territory (UT). In the wake of spread of bird flu in neighboring states of J&K, the poultry farmers are advised to improve bio-security measures in the farms Technical Officer of Animal, Sheep Husbandry and Fisheries , Dr Arif Bashir said in an advisory. He said there is no need to panic and stop eating poultry products as there is no report of bird flu in J&K. Meanwhile, Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) reacting to bird flu in different states has said it is safe to eat properly cooked poultry meat. Jammu and Kashmir is importing poultry products worth crores of rupees from different northern states, particularly Punjab. Dr Bashir said do not allow any artificial ponds, small water bodies inside and around farm premises which may attract wild birds and is risk to the poultry, keep the farm premises and shed surroundings vegetation free, regularly clean the areas and keep feed supplies and water for poultry protected as they attract wild birds and rodents. He further directed poultry farm dealers always use foot dips at the entry into the sheds and feed godowns, keep the poultry litter dry and fly maggot free, wet litter and fly maggot larvae attract wild birds, restrict entry of visitors into the farm, discourage outdoor rearing of poultry as the open type rearing of poultry will enhance the risk for introduction of avian influenza into the farming systems, discourage multiple species of birds rearing in the farms Keep chicken separated from domestic ducks and geese and wild birds. He directed them to immediately report any type of sickness in birds to nearest veterinary center especially edema in the comb and wattles, purple discoloration, cyanosis of the wattles, combs, and legs, diarrhea, nasal discharge, soft-shelled or misshapen eggs, decreased egg production, coughing and sneezing and lack of coordination. Feed better nutrition to the birds and include antioxidants, vitamin C,E and selenium in feed, all poultry dealers and retailers shall cooperate with with veterinary and Para Vet staff for sampling, poultry dealers and retailers shall use masks and other protective gear and should take proper sanitation measures while dealing with poultry birds and It is mandatory for all poultry dealers to keep proper record of source of poultry birds and track of supplies to retailers to ensure traceability. He said dead birds should not be thrown in open and shall be burnt or buried deep in ground, poultry retailers are advised to dispose poultry offal carefully and at designated places and shall not through them in open. Dr Bashir said there is no report that bird flu can spread through properly prepared and cooked poultry food and the virus is sensitive to heat and dies in cooking temperatures. Issuing instructions for Animal Husbandry Department, Dr Bashir directed department to control and containment of Avian Influenza issued by Government of India shall be strictly adhered to, the provisions of the Prevention and Control of Infectious and Contagious Diseases in Animals Act 2009 shall be strictly, adhered to Animal Husbandry Department Jammu and Kashmir shall conduct rigorous inspection of all poultry imports at Lakhanpur and district surveillance committees shall be constituted immediately to ensure checking of all poultry units and sale points. “There is no risk to catch the disease from eating poultry or poultry products,” said DAK President and influenza expert Dr Nisar ul Hassan said adding bird flu is not transmitted through cooked food. “To date, there is no evidence that people have become infected after eating contaminated poultry meat that has been properly cooked”, he said adding in areas free from the disease, poultry can be prepared and consumed as usual.
