Over 200 birds were reported dead across Rajasthan due to avian influenza on Tuesday, taking the total number of fatalities to 625 in the state, news agency PTI reported.

Over 50 birds were reported dead in the Baran district, with a number of deaths confirmed in the Kota district as well. Tests confirmed the birds were infected with the H5N8 influenza subtype, which experts believe is less infectious than the H5N1 virus. Bird flu was also confirmed in samples sent from the Jhalawar district. 

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Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has directed officials to maintain special vigil in light of the increasing number of cases.

Gehlot presided over a meeting of the state’s animal husbandry department, where he told officials to focus on areas such as the Keoladeo National Park and other sanctuaries, Sambhar lake and places where birds flock in large numbers. 

The chief minister confirmed dead birds, due to the virus, have been reported in 16 districts so far. 

“Effective preventive measures should be ensured. Veterinarians and avian experts should analyse these incidents closely and keep ensure arrangements to prevent the situation from aggravating,” he said in a statement. 

Gehlot also appealed to the public to stay vigilant and inform control rooms set up by the animal husbandry department if they see dead birds near their houses. 

Animan husbandry department secretary Arushi Malik confirmed that 122 out of the total deaths in the state have been sent for laboratory analysis in Bhopal.