So far over 4391 samples subjected to different tests have proved that the valley is free from the disease, officials said today.

Reiterating that adoption of basic hygienic principles and enforcement of strict bio-security measures around poultry farms, segregation of domestic ducks visiting wetlands from chicken and compulsory reporting of any unusual mortality in poultry to nearest veterinary center could help us prevent outbreak of the disease veterinary experts from Animal Husbandry Department today urged people at an awareness camp to cooperate with the department. A large number of farmers attended the camp.

The camp was organized by Block Veterinary Officer, Qazigund with the assistance from other wings of the department. The Chief Animal Husbandry Officer, Islamabad presided over the function. On this occasion Dy Director, Central, AH Department made a presentation each on Present status of Bird Flu and Bio-Security measures for prevention of Bird Flu. BVO, Islamabad, Research Officer, IAH&BP Zakura and AIO Srinagar also spoke on the occasion.

The organizers on this occasion provided some minieral mixture packets and literature to the participants. Mohammad Jabbar Shah, President, Numberdar Association, Kashmir, Kh Ghulam Nabi Wani a local community leader and Abdul Jabbar Shaan another prominent citizen and local leader raised some issues concerning the welfare of the people. They said that with the phenomenal increase in the volume of traffic farmers are increasingly finding it difficult to have their ailing animals treated from veterinary hospitals across the state. The ever increasing volume of traffic on valley roads prevents them to take their animals for AI or treatment.

They demanded that Veterinary centers be opened in each village to help the villagers to save their livestock. They also demanded supply of veterinary medicines completely free of cost as majority of the livestock rearers belong to the BPL section of the society.