Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 01:
Amid reports of several dogs succumbing to viral fever in Nongmaikhong and Keibul areas, personnel of Forest and Environment Department today conducted a massive search at the periphery of Loktak Lake and Keibul Lamjao National Park to ascertain whether the migratory birds which throng these areas are carriers of the H5NI virus that causes avian influenza.
The checking and salvage operations were conducted under the supervision of Deputy Conservator of Forest (Park and Sanctuary) alongwith Range Forest Officers of Keibul Lamjao Th Bimol and I Gopendro.
other than large number of migratory birds feeding in their winter habitat at Loktak Lake and Keibul Lamjao National Park there is no report of any death of the migratory birds in the said sanctuaries, according to some Department officials who took part in the bird flu scanning operations.
The officials also informed that Nongmaikhong and Keibul villagers have informed that viral fever-like disease has claimed several dogs in their respective areas while many other dogs are stricken with the similar symptom.
When contacted for further inputs on the development, veterinary expert Dr Ng Ibopishak said that there are instances when the bird flu has affected domestic cats and explained that reports of dogs suffering from runny tongue and nose before succumbing closely resemble symptoms of viral flu infections.
He, however, maintained that coming to any conclusion without going through the test and check procedures would be premature at the juncture.
Villagers of the affected areas recounted that the victim dogs with excessive signs of fluids in the hearing and tasting organs lasted for only a week before succumbing to the mysterious disease.
The dogs die soon after quenching thirst, they maintained.
So far 20 dogs have died at Nongmaikhong with Keibul also recording similar number of cases, informed the villagers.