3 COVID-19 deaths, 79 fresh cases reported in J&K
Bird flu: J&K govt extends ban on import of poultry
Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday recorded 79 new positive cases and three deaths in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of infections to 1,22,964 and the death toll to 1,915, officials said.
Out of the fresh cases, 49 were from Kashmir division and 30 were from Jammu division of the union territory, they said.
The officials said Srinagar district recorded the highest of 26 cases followed by 23 in Jammu district.
While six districts — Shopian, Samba, Rajouri, Poonch, Reasi and Kishtwar — did not report any fresh cases, 12 districts recorded fresh cases in single digits, they said.
The number of active cases dropped to 1,468 in the union territory, while 1,19,581 patients have recovered so far, the officials said.
Meanwhile, the UT reported three COVID-19 deaths from Kashmir division in the last 24 hours.
Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir government on Thursday extended by four more days the ban on import of poultry as bird flu spreads in neighboring states.
“In continuation of the government order no. 09-ASH of 20121 dated 07-01-2021 and in exercise of the powers conferred under contagious Disease Act, 2009, the ban imposed on import of live birds including poultry and unprocessed poultry meat for any purpose into J&K shall continue to remain operative till January 18,” read a government order.
“The decision will be reviewed based on the evolving situation,” the order issued by Navin K Choudhary, Principal Secretary to government, added.
The order comes as the administration continues to maintain that there are no cases of bird flu or avian influenza in the J&K so far even as it urged people not to panic or stop using poultry products.
The administration has already issued an advisory to poultry owners and dealers for the prevention of the spread of the disease.
The advisory, issued by the Animal/Sheep Husbandry and Fisheries departments to stakeholders, directed the poultry farmers to improve biosecurity measures in the farms and not allow any artificial ponds, small water-bodies inside and around the farm premises which may attract wild birds and is a risk to the poultry.
Keep the farm premises and shed surroundings vegetation-free. Regularly clean the areas. Keep feed supplies and water for poultry protected as they attract wild birds and rodents, it said.
