Delhi and Maharashtra have become the latest states to be hit by Bird Flu that is fast spreading in the country. Seven other states – Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana and Gujarat – had earlier confirmed Avian Influenza as the cause of the recent bird deaths.

Delhi has banned import of live birds and the biggest wholesale poultry market in Ghazipur has been temporarily shut down. “Rapid response teams have been formed in every district to contain the spread. Veterinary doctors are also constantly on the lookout. The focus is particularly on the poultry markets in Sanjay Lake, Bhalswa Lake, and Hauz Khas,” Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Saturday.

More than 140 birds, mostly crows, have been found dead across locations in Delhi over the past four days, even as district officials were directed to ensure that unauthorised wholesale poultry markets were closed for 10 days amid concerns of the spread of avian influenza.

In Maharashtra, the epicenter is Parbhani – about 500 km from state capital Mumbai.  “About 800 poultry birds – all hens – died in the last two days. Their samples were given for testing. And now it is confirmed that the reason is bird flu,” Deepak Madhukar Munglikar, District Collector, told media. “It has been confirmed in Murumba village. There are about eight poultry farms and 8,000 birds. We have given orders of culling those poultry birds,” he added.

Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray will hold a meeting this evening to review the bird flu situation.

The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying has formed teams to monitor the spread of bird flu. The government has also directed zoo managements to submit daily reports to the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) till their area is declared free from the disease.

States/ UTs have been told to increase surveillance around water bodies, live bird markets, zoos, poultry farms, etc proper disposal of the carcass, and strengthening of bio-security in poultry farms.