Srinagar, January 06: (KNS) A bird flu alert has been sounded by Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) in Jammu and Kashmir, after many states including Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana and Gujarat have reported avian flu. The avian flu have left several states baffled as lakhs of birds have been found dead in the last 10 days.

President DAK, Dr Suhail Naik said that as bird flu cases have been reported from Himachal Pradesh and Haryana, it is high time to sound an alert and take optimal preventive measures.

Dr Naik further added that bird flu or avian flu viruses can infect domestic poultry and other birds and can jump to animal species. The disease is "zoonotic" and transmission of virus to humans can prove disastrous.

General Secretary DAK, Dr Owais H Dar said that there is possibility that the avian flu might jump to humans and then it will be very difficult to break the chain of transmission. The bird flu may come as a double whammy for us as we are already fighting a long drawn battle against covid 19 Pandemic. He further added that unexplained deaths of birds in any locality need to be reported to the concerned Veterinary and Health authorities immediately so that optimal preventive measures are taken.

Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) advised people to stay alert and recommended that people should maintain good hygienic practices to reduce exposure to the virus. People are advised not eat raw poultry parts and or raw eggs. Though cooking poultry meat thoroughly at temperatures more than 70 degree centigrade will inactivate the virus, it is better to avoid poultry and its products till flu is eliminated in birds.

Many states have already imposed a ban on the sale and use of poultry meat and other related products in the regions where bird flu deaths have been detected. Government authorities are requested to take optimal precautionary steps and keep close vigil on the emerging situation.(KNS)