Birdflu (H5N1) outbreak in Phuentsholing has been fully contained. The rapid response team is currently conducting active surveillance and border vigilance.

The outbreak was confirmed on April 8 at Dhamdara, a village at the outskirt of Phuentsholing proper. No human contact was reported.

About 14 households were affected. The response team culled about 1,130 birds, disposed of 3,955 eggs and 613kgs of commercial feeds.

Incident commander for incident operation centre, Dr Basant Sharma from the Regional Livestock Development Centre (RLDC) Tsimasham, said the team was visiting all households in Phuentsholing to collect samples from sick birds.

He said that the surveillance would continue for 20 more days.

The department of livestock, Chukha dzongkhag livestock sector, department of public health, Royal Bhutan Police, Bhutan Agriculture and Food Regulatory Authority and the Regional Livestock Development Centre RLDC and local authorities in Phuentsholing initiated the response to the H5NI outbreak jointly.

Rajesh Rai | Phuentsholing

Advertisement