Lamka, July 27: Taking no chances after confirming death of more than two hundred fowls in the district, the otherwise steady veterinary officials were in full swing conducting head count of all birds in and outskirts of the township.

To deal with any eventuality 8 Rapid Response Team, consisting of five personnel each headed by a veterinary doctor has been initiated today.

They were trained on technical handling the epidemic and medical check-up for each personnel conducted.

With strict instruction not to let pass a single head, another team of veterinary officials have been dispatched to conduct head count of every bird located within Kangvai village on the south, Thingkangphai on the north, Ngurte and Teisieng on the east and west.

This was in addition to the stationing of civil and uniformed personnel at Kangvai and Saikot to thwart any attempt to smuggle birds from outside the district, as the district level committee for control of the dreaded avian flu that was instituted yesterday formally imposed ban on import of any form of poultry related items.

Indents for acquiring atleast one thousand Tamiflu has been placed by the Chief Medical Officer, while two JCBs have also been reserved by the DRDA for immediate deployment in case of an emergency.

In case the need arise for culling and destruction of poultry materials and birds, the CEO/CCpur, Joint Director Veterinary and the Additional DC has been authorized to choose any site for burial in consultation with the CMO.

Asked, whether sale of indigenous fowls reared within the district was banned, veterinary officials responded in the negative.

Yet numerous villagers who were heading to the township for vending their birds were told not to do so.

The people have been advised to remain vigilant and avoid direct contact with birds and to alert the Department concerned in case of any unnatural death of birds.