Culling process offically over, but...
It is now safe to eat chicken !
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 14: With culling of domestic fowls from within 5 kms radius of the Chingmeirong farm from where the outbreak of Avian Influenza was first reported 'officially' over and the area under operation cleaned and disinfected as per the Action Plan, the Union Ministry of Agriculture & Animal Husbandry and the State Directorate of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Services respectively issued certificates in this connection on August 12.

It is now safe to eat chicken!!

The certificate issued by Director of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Services Th Dorendra Singh certified that culling has been carried out and the area under operation cleaned and disinfected as per the Action Plan for preparedness, control and containment of Avian Influenza of the Government of India and other actions in the post-operation period will also be carried out strictly in accordance with the Action Plan.

However some chickens could be seen roaming freely at Minuthong area today!.

Consequently, the restrictions imposed on consumption of Chicken and other poultry products has been lifted along with hosting a luncheon at the Sanjenthong complex of the Directorate of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Services here today where chicken was the main dish.

Secretary (Veterinary) Government of Manipur KK Chhetry led officials of the Veterinary Department as well as other Government officials and mediapersons in partaking the choicest Chicken curry served.

Outbreak of Avian Influenza in a poultry farm at Chingmeirong was first confirmed on July 25 and culling of domestic fowls from areas within 5 km radius of the affected farm was started one day later.

Although the culling exercise has been 'officially' completed and the certificate issued by the competent authority in this regard, it is said rearing of domestic fowls within the jurisdiction of 5 km radius of the Chingmeirong farm would be permitted after three months.

However, dressed poultry meat (not live birds) can be brought in from areas beyond 10 km radius for business as well as private consumption.

On the other hand, inspite of the certificate issued on completion of the culling and disinfectant exercise toward containment of Bird flu, sources said domestic fowls are still present in some households within the designated 5 km radius of the Chingmeirong farm, where the outbreak was first detected.

Moreover, how the virus causing the dreaded Avian Influenza spread to Manipur has not yet been ascertained by the competent authorities.

Talking to some media-persons, Health Minister Ph Parijat, however, said that the Bird flu virus might have come from Myanmar.

Notwithstanding all these gaping holes, Joint Secretary of Union Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Upama Chawdry, who arrived on a two day visit to take stock of the measures taken up by the State Government to contain further spread of Avian Influenza, categorically stated that she has reviewed the whole containment process and found it satisfying.

Interacting with media-persons briefly before her departure, Upama said the State Government and its Veterinary Department have done a good job in containing further spread of Bird flu in Manipur.

She informed that clinical surveillance would be carried out within 0-5 kms radius and clinical environment within 5-10 km radius as post-operation exercise, the fortnightly report of the post-operation exercise would be sought.

Before her departure, Upama met the Chief Minister and the Chief Secretary of the State to discuss the issue as well as gave audience to the representatives of Poultry Farmers' Association and listen to their grievances.

Yesterday, Upama inspected some poultry farms located in Imphal East and West District to personally take stock measures taken up by the Government to control and prevent outbreak of Bird flu.