Till Tuesday evening 33 cranes have died of bird flu in Rajasthan, confirmed officials here. On January 17, 14 cranes died of bird flu in Jaisalmer, fell in a field near Bankalsar village mid-air.
A report from Bhopal-based National Institute of High-Security Animal Diseases (NISHAD) confirmed bird flu in two of the cranes, which were tested. A cuckoo and a Eurasian vulture died but their death was due to natural causes so administration heaved a sigh of relief.
Since January 11, bird flu deaths are reported in Jaisalmer but the outbreak is limited to Degrai Oran and Bankalsar. No cases of infected birds are reported from other parts of the district.
Authorities are following protocol, burying the dead birds and spraying disinfectants at the affected areas to prevent the disease from spreading to other birds.
Dr Umesh Vargantiwar, Joint Director, Animal Husbandry Department said bird flu spreads more in winter as birds immunity is low just like humans.
“Birds cannot be stopped from flying, so preventing the spread of this infectious disease is challenging,” he said.
To control the outbreak the government has made it mandatory to bury the dead birds and spray disinfectant at the site to minimize further infection.
The situation will improve as winter will go and temperature will rise and disease will spread less. "Like humans, immunity in birds also decreases in winter. Eventually, this infectious disease spreads more among birds. Birds cannot be stopped from flying. However, to prevent this disease, disinfectants are sprayed wherever dead birds are found, after burying them as per government instructions," he added.
NISHAD report confirmed H5N1 Avian Flu (Bird Flu) in the dead Demoiselle Cranes in Jaisalmer. Deaths of migratory birds commonly known as 'Kurjan' among the locals have become a issue in the district and teams of Forest Department and Animal Husbandry Department are on the job.
Dead birds have been buried with all precautions and field officers of Veterinary Hospital, Medical Department, Forest Department and Revenue Department have been put on alert, said officials.
