TN on high alert following reports of large-scale crow deaths in state
Chennai (PTI): The Tamil Nadu government on Friday sounded a high alert following reports of large-scale crow deaths in various parts of the state, triggering concerns over a potential outbreak of avian influenza.
In a swift response to the mounting biosecurity threat, the Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying, and Fisheries issued a comprehensive advisory mandating stringent precautionary measures for poultry farmers and handlers of wild birds across the state.
Speaking to PTI, Director of Public Health, Dr A Somasundaram said, the Directorate of Public Health and Preventive Medicine (DPH) has also released a separate communication, appealing to the public to follow strict safety protocols.
"Based on the Central government's circular regarding the prevalence of Avian Flu in Tamil Nadu, we have issued the advisory," he added.
The DPH has advised individuals to seek immediate medical assistance if they experience flu-like symptoms, including cough, cold, fever, or breathing difficulties. Specific caution has been urged for those working in slaughterhouses and personnel handling sick or dead birds.
Meanwhile, the Animal Husbandry department has directed its officials to intensify surveillance and step up vigil to detect any unusual sickness or mortality among crows, migratory birds, and commercial poultry.
Sources said under the new protocols, veterinary staff have been strictly instructed to refrain from conducting autopsies of dead birds in the field. Instead, they have been advised to refer all carcasses to designated Regional Disease Diagnostic Labs to ensure clinical accuracy and containment.
To prevent the spread of infection through scavenging, the advisory further mandated that dead birds must be either burnt or buried deep.
The authorities have also urged the public to immediately inform the animal husbandry department of any unusual bird deaths to facilitate a rapid response and prevent a potential zoonotic spillover to humans.
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Defamatory post against Dharmasthala Veerendra Heggade: Case registered against Girish Mattannavar
Belthangady: A case has been registered at Dharmasthala police station against Girish Mattannavar over a complaint regarding alleged defamatory posts on social media against Dr. D. Veerendra Heggade, Dharmadhikari of Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala.
The complaint was filed by Subrahmanya Prasad, a resident of Dharmasthala.
The complainant stated that Mattannavar posted content on Instagram making allegations against Dr. Heggade and allegedly affecting his reputation.
Based on the complaint, a case was registered under Section 353(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which is related to spreading false information, rumours, or alarming news, on April 18, and the investigation is in progress.
Following information about Mattannavar’s appearance at the SIT office on May 7, a police officer from Dharmasthala police station issued a notice directing him to appear at the station within a week.
