Imphal, December 08 2008: IN VIEW of the wild spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (Bird Flu) by H5N1 in Assam, the government of Manipur has banned import of all consignments of eggs, chicks, feed and live birds from Assam into the state.

Chief Secretary of Manipur government, Rakesh today issued an order in this regard.

The step is being taken in order to check further spread of the disease in the state from large numbers of consignments of eggs, chicks, feed and live birds arriving in Imphal daily from Assam which may become the possible source of infection, the order said.

On the other hand, Director of Veterinary and Animal Husbandary Services, Th Dorendra has sent out notice of alert to all the officials concerned in all districts of the state.

In a warning message of alertness and strict vigil on highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in the state, the director stated that in view of the present situation of the wild spread of HPAI (Bird Flu) in three districts of Assam viz Kamrup, Nalbari and Barpeta, it has become essential for the people of Manipur to remain on high alert.

Dorendra also alerted all RRT members of every district of the department to remain in full preparedness for control and containment of outbreak of the disease in the state.

He also directed the joint directors and deputy directors of veterinary and husbandry department posted at the nine district headquaters and sub divisional veterinary hospitals at Jiribam, Kangpokpi and Moreh to inform all RRTs constituted on April 12 last year to remain alert for immediate action in the event of any outbreak of the disease in the state.

At the same time, the Veterinary Department, Government of Manipur has also banned all consignments of inter state transport of eggs, chicks, feed and live birds from Assam to Manipur.

Meanwhile, the department has started making arrangments to organise an intensive physical surveillance of poultry birds in organised, backyard and commercial farms to check if there has been any unusual death or sickness of poultry birds.

It may be recalled here that Manipur has experienced the sufferings of bird flu last year during which lakhs of poultry birds�chickens and ducks were culled.

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