Imphal, August 18: A 10 member team of experts including scientists from the High Security Animal Disease Laboratory, Bhopal and the National Institute of Virology, Pune have been entrusted to find out source of the avian flu outbreak, first reported from a farm in Chingmeirong, Imphal.

Speaking to The Sangai Express, Director of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Dr Th Dorendro informed that Ministry of Agriculture constituted a 10 member team of experts to study and find out source/origin of the outbreak.

Among others, the team will include Joint Commissioner (Livestock-Health) of the Ministry AB Negi.

Th Dorendro who is also a member of the team noted that it is crucial to find out source of the outbreak.

Another official source informed that all the members of the team will be arriving at Imphal on August 21.Shortly after their arrival, the team will conduct a detail investigation.

All the members of the Rapid Response Teams engaged in mass culling of poultry birds who are now under observation will be allowed to go home on August 23 provided there is no complaint of any health problem.

At present, 6 RRTs are currently undertaking surveillance work in 5 to 10 kms radius of the Chingmeirong farm infected by bird flu.

Another 4 RRTs are engaged in culling left out poultry birds in the area within 0-5 kms radius from Chingmeirong.

On the other hand, under the Post Operation Surveillance Plan (POSP), intensive physical surveillance will be carried out by the staff of Joint Director (Veterinary) Imphal East and Imphal West to check that no birds have been introduced into the infected zone (0-5 km radius).

There will be regular fumigation and spraying of poultry farms/units every 15 days.

Physical surveillance in the area within 5-10 kms radius from Chingmeirong will continue to check any unusual morbidity and mortality in poultry birds.

Four teams deployed for collection of avian blood samples, cloacal swabs from poultry birds from 5-10 km radius area will continue their task after every 15 days.

These samples will be sent to the High Security Animal Disease Laboratory, Bhopal to confirm that the area is free from bird flu.