The District Magistrate of Soreng in Sikkim has enforced a containment order after the confirmation of avian influenza (H5N1), commonly known as bird flu, in poultry farms within the district, officials confirmed on Tuesday.
According to an official notification issued by the Office of the District Collector-cum-District Magistrate on February 23, cases have been reported from Ward No 4, Buriakhop Rengang under 28-Buriakhop GPU and Ward No. 3, Songri under 07-Takuthang Chuchen GPU in Soreng District.
These locations have been declared infected zones, with clearly defined geographical boundaries.
Additionally, areas under 28-Buriakhop GPU and 07-Takuthang Chuchen GPU have been declared as surveillance zones. The District Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services Department will demarcate and notify the exact boundaries.
Authorities have imposed an immediate ban on the transportation of live poultry, birds, eggs, meat, feed, equipment and related materials into or out of the infected zones. Check-posts will be set up and district police, in coordination with veterinary officials, will oversee strict enforcement.
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All live bird markets within the infected zones have been closed until further orders. Intensive cleaning, sanitisation and disinfection drives will be carried out to contain the spread of the virus.
The order mandates the humane culling of infected and at-risk poultry in accordance with Government of India guidelines. Carcasses and contaminated materials will be disposed of scientifically through deep burial or incineration under official supervision.
Further, the Chief Medical Officer of Soreng has been directed to ensure monitoring of all persons who may have come into contact with infected birds and to ensure the availability of PPE kits, antiviral medicines and isolation facilities, if required.
A round-the-clock control room has been activated at the District Emergency Operation Centre in Soreng, while the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services Department helpline number 1962 remains operational.
