No strain of bird flu virus found in blood of dead pigeons
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Animal Husbandry and Veterinary director Dr L Lyngwa has informed that the blood samples of dead pigeons from Keating Road which were sent to the Regional Research and Diagnostic Laboratory (RR&DL), Guwahati for testing for bird flu virus were found to be negative.
As per report from the RR&DL which was received by the department on Saturday, Dr Lyngwa said that the blood samples are negative which means that there is no outbreak of bird flu.
When asked as to what could be the reason for the death of such large numbers of pigeons in Keating Road, he said that they are still trying to ascertain the cause.
Earlier, the department had sent blood samples of dead pigeons to the regional research institute on Friday.
Even though there was no restriction on consumption of poultry products in East Khasi Hills district, a general alert has been sounded along a radius of seven kilometers from where the birds were found dead and strict surveillance is being maintained.
It may be recalled that in East Garo Hills, outbreak of bird flu led to the culling of about 6,538 birds by the authorities.
Also 9,157 eggs and more than 800 kg of feeds were destroyed in 21 villages in East Garo Hills earlier this month.
