Indian Bird Flu Control Operations Underway

NEW DELHI - Mar 29/06 - SNS -- India's agriculture department says control operations for the outbreaks of the H5N1 strain of avian influenza in the country are well underway.

In Maharashtra, "The Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) have been mobilized. Eighty teams comprising of 400 persons are being used for operations. The teams were briefed today morning. Logistics and deployment plan were developed on 28th March itself. Pits for disposal of birds were also dug up in some villages on evening of 28th March. The RRTs will first take up culling in villages where pits have been prepared. Culling of poultry has started on 29th March."

Agriculture department officials said in Ichchapur, "26 teams are being used to conduct operations. Nearly 112 persons are being deployed to carry out operations in 23 villages. Pits were dug up in all the villages on 28th March itself. Logistics and deployment plan were also finalized on 28th March and vehicles/JCBs had also been mobilized. Culling started on 29th March. 60% of the birds in the affected area had been culled by 3.00 PM on 29th March, 2006."

Meanwhile, in Jalgaon, government officials said, "Culling has been completed. House to house mopping for left out birds has also been completed. Clean up and dis-infection work has also been completed. More than 94,000 birds have been killed in the operations. An amount of Rs.21,41,160/- has been paid as compensation.

"The villagers have cooperated in the control and containment operations and have even volunteered to clean up the material dumped along the roadside on their own. White lime is being provided to each household for whitewashing. Cleaning and sanitization work is progressing fast and is likely to be completed shortly. The members of the RRTs involved in culling have been de-mobilized after serving the prescribed period of quarantine."