India has declared itself free from Bird Flu, or the Avian Influenza (H5N1), and has notified the same to the World Organisation for Animal Health.
Cases of Bird Flu, which affected poultry, were detected in Assam (18 epicentres), West Bengal (11 epicentres) and Sikkim (1 epicentre) between November 2008 and May 2009. However, there has been no outbreak since May 27 in West Bengal, the statement said.
As per the international norm, the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) has to be informed whenever there is an outbreak of Bird Flu and also after it is tackled.
An official statement released on Monday said a notification declaring itself free from the Avian Influenza (H5N1) was issued on October 22.
The final disinfection process was completed on June 8, 2009; the statement said referring to the epidemic in West Bengal.
The measures adopted to contain the outbreak include stamping out of the entire poultry population, destruction of eggs, feed and other infected materials within a radius of three to five kilometers of the outbreak, restriction on movement of poultry and poultry products, disinfection and cleaning up of infected premises.