India declared free of bird flu

New Delhi, Oct 26: India Monday declared itself free from the avian influenza (H5N1), the agriculture ministry said here.

The government has notified the World Organisation for Animal Health of this development.

But the ministry said the surveillance against avian influenza would have to be continued "throughout the country, especially in vulnerable areas bordering infected countries and in areas visited by migratory birds."

The central government has also asked the states not to fall into complacency due to declaration of the country's freedom from notifiable avian influenza and "maintain their vigil against the disease", according to a ministry statement.

"The last outbreak of avian influenza was notified May 27 in Uttar Dinajpur district of West Bengal. There has been no further outbreak thereafter," the ministry said.

India had notified outbreaks of avian influenza (H5N1) in Assam (18 epicentres), West Bengal (11 epicentres) and Sikkim (one epicentre) from Nov 2008 to May 2009.

Around the area of the outbreaks, culling, disinfection and clean-up operations were carried out. Surveillance in rest of the country has shown no evidence of the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza, the statement added.