Uttar Pradesh has moved into high alert mode over the threat of bird flu, with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath rolling out an extensive prevention and response plan that reaches from zoo enclosures to the state’s poultry farms. The decision follows growing concerns over avian influenza outbreaks in parts of the country, prompting the state to act before the virus gets a foothold.
Uttar Pradesh On Bird Flu Alert
According to Hindustan Times, in an urgent set of instructions issued Wednesday, Yogi Adityanath directed that every zoo, bird sanctuary, national park, wetland and cow shelter in UP undergo intensified cleaning and disease-control protocols.
The measures include deep sanitisation, blow-torching of surfaces where needed, and daily health checks for all birds and animals. Staff assignments in high-risk zones will be reshuffled to minimise exposure, and no animal will be fed until its food has passed inspection.
The CM has iterated that the entire process is about speed and vigilance. He further called for all animal-care staff to be trained in spotting early signs of avian influenza. Each will be issued PPE kits and protective gear, while standard operating procedures will be drilled into teams on the ground.
The poultry sector will also face closer scrutiny. Farms will be monitored for compliance with national biosecurity rules, and movements of poultry and poultry products will be tightly controlled to block any potential transmission routes.
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The State Takes Necessary Precautions
On the human health front, the state Health Department has been told to investigate the possible risks to people and submit a preventive action plan. This will run in parallel with public awareness efforts, ensuring that poultry workers, zookeepers, and residents near wetlands or large bird populations know what to watch for.
CM Yogi Adityanath has mandated real-time coordination with multiple agencies such as the Central Zoo Authority, National Centre for Disease Control, Ministry of Health, Fisheries and Dairy Department, and the Indian Veterinary Research Institute in Bareilly so that expert advice is converted into action without delay.
Avian influenza, while primarily a bird disease, has the capacity to jump species under certain conditions. It has devastated poultry populations in past outbreaks, with economic losses running into crores. For a state that houses biodiversity hubs such as Nawabganj and Sandi Bird Sanctuaries alongside major poultry belts, the stakes are high, as stated by Hindustan Times.
Officials are urging citizens to report any unusual bird deaths, avoid handling carcasses, and maintain distance from sick or dead fowl. The government, meanwhile, insists the situation is under control but is treating the threat with the seriousness of a crisis already at the door.
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