Many states across India, including Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Kerala and Madhya Pradesh, have reported the outbreak of bird flu after dead
birds raised health concerns. Migratory birds found dead at Pong Dam Lake, Kangra district, Himachal
Pradesh have tested positive for bird flu, becoming the fourth state to report
cases of the dreaded avian influenza, PTI reported.

Around 1,800 migratory birds, most of them bar-headed geese, have been
found dead in the lake sanctuary so far.

Also read: Bird flu alert in Rajasthan after crow deaths in several districts

Kangra district magistrate Rakesh Prajapati has prohibited slaughtering,
sale, purchase and export of any poultry, birds, fish of any breed and their
related products, including eggs, meat, chicken, etc, in Fatehpur, Dehra,
Jawali and Indora subdivisions of the district.  Exercising his powers
under Sections 34 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, the official said that
shops selling these products would also remain closed in these four
subdivisions.  Prajapati also banned the movement of locals and tourists
within a kilometre radius of Pong Dam. 

Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly detected avian influenza
in samples of dead birds, Archana Sharma, Principal Chief Conservator of
Forests (Wildlife) said. Her department was awaiting confirmation from the National
Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD), Bhopal.

Bird flu alert was also sounded in Rajasthan, where 250 crows were found
dead in half a dozen districts.

Over 170 new deaths were reported on Monday. Animal Husbandry department
reported the death of 425 crows, herons and other birds. National Institute of
High-Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD) have confirmed bird flu, while reports
are still awaited for other birds.

“Deaths of over 425 birds, mostly crows, have been reported in
parts of the state so far. Bird flu has been confirmed only in Jhalawar. Report
of other deaths is yet to come,” the department said.

Some experts however, say that these deaths could be due to ‘cold shock’.

Avian influenza was also confirmed in dead crows in Indore, Madhya
Pradesh.

Also Read | Bird flu outbreak in United Kingdom leads to mass turkey cull

Some parts of Kottayam and Alappuzha districts in Kerala prompting
authorities to order the culling of ducks, hens, etc in one kilometre radius of
the affected areas, after 1500 ducks were found dead in Kottayam.

Bird flu is a highly infectious and severe respiratory disease in birds
caused by the H5N1 influenza virus, which can occasionally infect humans as
well.