First-Ever Bird Flu Case in Pet Cats Sparks Ban on Chicken, Mutton & Eggs

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): A case of bird flu (H5N1) has been reported in pet cats in Chhindwara of Madhya Pradesh. This is the first time in the country that bird flu has been detected in pet cats. The administration has banned the purchase and sale of mutton, chicken and eggs for 30 days. Also, shops in the infected areas have been sealed and the surrounding areas have been declared containment zones. Municipal corporation wards number 6, 7, 8, 28, 29, 30, 31, 41 and 45 have been declared infected areas.

The administration has also advised people who came in contact with the cats to take precautions. After the death of 18 cats, their samples were sent for testing, in which bird flu was confirmed in two cats. The Animal Department sent samples of 65 people who came in contact with the cats in the infected area to the National Institute of Virology for testing. It is a matter of relief that the reports of all these people came negative.

Bird flu and its impact

Bird flu is a type of influenza caused by the H5N1 virus. It initially spread from water birds, but later began to rapidly infect the poultry industry. Domestic poultry can be infected, and if it infects a bird it is more likely to cause death. However, infected birds can spread the virus for more than 10 days.

According to experts, this virus does not spread from human to human, so it is not considered an epidemic yet. However, it can spread from birds to humans, which requires caution. The steps taken by the administration are necessary to prevent the spread of infection