Bird Flu Alert For Bihar

After reports of large number of crows dying from bird flu, Bihar on Sunday sounded an alert of possible spread of avian influenza.

The health department has directed all district civil surgeons to keep in touch with the district animal husbandry department and follow the advise of its director.

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Bird flu (avian influenza/avian flu) is a disease caused by an influenza virus (H5N1) that primarily affects birds but can infect humans also.

"The civil surgeons have been asked to prepare and keep a rapid response team to meet an influenza breakout and report unnatural human deaths immediately," a health department official said.

Last week, it was revealed in a report of the Bhopal-based High Security Animal Disease Laboratory (HSADL) that crows are dying in Bihar because of bird flu.

The HSADL confirmed the deaths in Gaya district.

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The Bihar government then directed the animal husbandry department to take steps to deal with the situation.

Hundreds of crows have died in Bihar in the last one and a half months, particularly in Gaya, Banka, Nawada, Jamui, Bhagalpur, Munger and Aurangabad districts.

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The Bihar Animal Husbandry Department has asked people not to touch the dead crows. It has issued advertisements in local dailies asking people to alert the administration if they spot any dead crows.

Source-IANS

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