Government allays fear over pig deaths

SEEKING TO allay the fear of people, fanned by reports of deaths of pigs from different parts of Madhya Pradesh, the state Directorate of Veterinary Services has emphasized that though Bird Flu Virus can infect pigs or ducks as refractory or carrier, the influenza ‘A’ virus of bird flu does not normally cause death in pigs and ducks.  Thus the news relating to the death of pigs and ducks through bird flu is beyond reality.

“It is commonly known that pigs, ducks, water fowls and men can get infected by bird flu, but inclusion of the death of crows, kites and dogs in the category is a false notion,” the commissioner of Veterinary Services, Rajesh Rajora informed.

“Thus the question of the presence of bird flu virus in the incidents of the death of pigs in Guna, Indore and Bhopal does not arise at all,” he said.

Studies have revealed that the diseases causing death in pigs normally include swine fever, swine influenza and leptospirosis and none of these diseases can infect human beings.

The Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department is introducing proper treatment facilities in the concerned districts on the basis of information received after the post-mortem of dead pigs. 

Orders have been issued to collect vaccines for swine fever from the Institute of Bio-culture Products at Mhow. Vaccination would be carried out with the help of the Indore Municipal Corporation.

NO BIRD FLU SCARE: The Directorate has initiated strict precautionary measures in the state following reports of presence of bird flu virus in Nandurbar and Jalgaon (Maharashtra) and Uchhal (Gujarat).  Commissioner of Veterinary Services, Rajesh Rajora has however assured that the residents of Madhya Pradesh need not worry about the problem at the moment.

The commissioner reiterated today that a special vigil is being maintained over transportation of poultry and poultry products at the borders of MP adjoining Gujarat and Maharashtra. An intensive check and survey of flu symptoms is continuing at poultry farms, hatcheries and habitats of migratory birds.

A total 3344 samples collected from various places had been sent to the High Security Animal Disease lab, Bhopal. Out of these, reports of 960 samples have been negative. Reports of approximately 2000 new samples would possibly be declared on March 22. The orders for special precautions to be taken in Barwani, Jhabua, Khandwa, Burhanpur, Dhar, Dewas, Indore, Hoshangabad and Harda have been issued.