Rajasthan reports more bird flu: 140 more crows dead

Jaipur: Following reports of outbreak of bird flu in Rajasthan, the desert state has reported that 140 more crows have died of the disease in six districts, as per officials.

Of the crows dead 35 were in Sawai Madhopur, 53 in Bikaner, 22 in Jhalawar, 17 in Baran, nine in Pali and seven in Banswara.

Overall, a total of 522 birds have died in Rajasthan over the past week; of this 471 were crows, while others include heron and baya weaver.

On Monday, around 13 samples were sent to Bhopal for further testing for avian influenza. The H5N1 virus currently detected among bird population in Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh can be transmitted to human bird and the spread can turn fatal, especially amid the Covid-19 outbreak, experts say.

"We are working on a strategy to take immediate action for checking the infection. Our teams are tracking all such cases without delay and disposing them of with particular caution," Mohanlal Meena, Chief Wildlife warden, told IANS.

"This strategy is being implemented in all districts. We have formed joint teams of the Veterinary Department, district administration and Forest Department and all of us are working together to contain the infection," he added.

(IANS feed with minor edits)