GUWAHATI, April 8: Following the outbreak of avian flu, the deadly H5N1 strain, in Dhalai district of Tripura, surveillance in the three Barak valley districts, especially in the border district of Karimganj, has been intensified, State Animal Husbandry Department sources told The Sentinel today.

A three-member team of experts comprising a deputy commissioner-level officer from the Central Animal Husbandry Department has left for Barak valley for an on-the-spot study of the preparedness to check bird flu, sources said. The team is scheduled to arrive in Karimganj today.

It has been suspected that the deadly avian flu virus has invaded Dhalai district of Tripura from neighbouring Bangladesh, since the affected district of Dhalai is close to Maulavi Bazar district, which is among the 19 districts in Bangladesh that are affected by avian flu. The ban on the movement of poultry products in the border districts in Asom may be imposed further if necessary, the sources hinted.

It is due to not-up-to-the-mark preventive measures the Bangladesh authorities have so far failed to combat the killer virus, and this might be the reason for which neighbouring West Bengal and Tripura are affected by bird flu, the sources feel. “Considering this fact, we have enforced a tight vigil in Karimganj district that shares its border with both Bangladesh and Tripura,” sources added.

It may be mentioned here that the five-km zone in the two Asom districts bordering West Bengal — Dhubri and Kokrajhar — had made poultry-free by carrying out an extensive culling operation. According to sources, steps have also been taken to prevent possible infection through trucks and other vehicles carrying goods from the neighbouring States into Asom.

Disinfectant sprays are being used in the Sagolia check gate at Boxirhat and Halakura outposts to ensure prevention of possible infection through vehicles. However, the sources could not confirm if any such measures are being taken at the Srirampur check gate or not.

by The Sentinel, 9th April'.2008