NIV braces for bird flu outbreak in state

The recent death of 3,000 turkeys and other birds at Hesaraghatta near Bangalore has put NIV on alert to brace for an avian flu (H5N1) epidemic. “The Centre has requested us to pitch in with help in case there is any outbreak of bird flu in Maharashtra and Gujarat,” NIV director Dr A C Mishra told Newsline This is a lethal virus and has been gaining a stronghold in the country. There have been outbreaks earlier in Maharashtra,Jharkhand and West Bengal.

Avian influenza surveillance measures are in place and so far there has been no threat to humans,Mishra assured.