Bhubaneswar: Chief Secretary Suresh Chandra Mohapatra has directed District Collectors to form Rapid Response Team to counter the possible outbreak of bird flu.
Mohapatra said the state is taking all precautions to counter bird flu and added that the administration has to remain alert and carry out investigations in reservoirs, rivers, ponds and other areas where migratory birds congregate.
The animal husbandry secretary Raghu Prasad, taking part in the review meeting which was conducted in digital mode, said the migratory birds are the carriers of bird flu. He said the bird flu spreads rapidly among chicken and ducks.
Prasad said 184 species of migratory bird numbering about 12 lakh have arrived in Chilika and added that Bhitarkani sanctuary has attracted nearly 10 different species of 97, 866.
Nearly 11000 samples have been collected till date and there was no trace of bird flu. The samples are being tested in Kolkata, Guwahati, Bangalore, Pune and Jalandhar.
In the meanwhile, the district laboratories and testing centres have been kept in high alert. The Chief Secretary has directed the officials of the ADRIs to immediately take measures to counter the bird flu.
