SRINAGAR: A deadly viral infection raging in parts of central and northern Kashmir has killed over 35,000 poultry fowl in the past few days, with no word yet from officials on possible impact on human health.
According to official sources, 32, 000 chicken have died in the central Budgam district and 5000 more in Baramulla to the Ranikhet Disease, and alarmed farmers decry that the animal husbandry department had failed to give them expert advice.
Also known as the New Castle Disease after the British region where it was first found, Ranikhet is an influenza-like viral disease with respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms in birds, including domestic fowl, and transmissible to humans on contact with infected birds.
Budgam has around five lakh chicken and farmers are concerned about the disease, speeding to other areas. In the Baramulla district areas including Kandi, Rafiabad, Pattan, Baramulla town, Wagoora, Kreeri and Tangmarg have been affected, with farmers saying that it was spreading to other areas and the department had taken no visible steps to check it, the poultry owners alleged.
Authorities in the Kashmir Valley had directed officials concerned to ensure that only healthy chicken are available in the market.
The Valley consumes more than 30,000 chicken per day, and this has increased due to galloping mutton rates of Rs 320 per kg, Rs 40 more than price approved by the government.
Most of the valleys chicken supplies are imported from different northern states, particularly Punjab.
Sources said a large number of chicken had also died due to the disease in Srinagar and Gandarbal district.
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