AP steps up bird flu alert

Vijayawada : As the bird flu (avian flu) cases spread more states in the country, the state government is on high alert. An amount of Rs 65 lakh has been released for steps towards the preparedness at the rate of Rs 5 lakh for each district and control rooms have been set up in all the districts.

The Union government is giving guidelines to the states and Union Territories on the preparedness on bird flu since outbreak in some parts of the country. So far, bird flu cases were reported in Rajasthan, Kerala, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat.

The animal husbandry department in the state conducted a three-day training session to the veterinary doctors, compounders and the staff to deal with the cases, if reported, anywhere the in the state. Training was also given to the staff on culling birds, which were hit by the flu. The animal husbandry department is working in co-ordination with the forest and panchayat raj departments to tackle the disease.

Control rooms were also opened in all 13 districts and staff from the animal husbandry department were posted for the duty. The control room will clarify the doubts of the callers. If birds die in large number in suspicious circumstances, the local people should alert local veterinary doctor or veterinary hospital staff or the veterinary hospital for further action.

Following are the list of control rooms in the state. Srikakulam 9989932801, Vizianagaram 9989932825, Visakhapatnam 9989932834, East Godavari 9966224818, West Godavari 9989932851, Krishna 9989932863, Guntur 9989932872, Prakasam 9989932872,Nellore 9989932893, Chittoor 9989997067, Kadapa 9441614704, Anantapuram 9985030053 and Kurnool 9989997251.