The Centre has constituted a Committee headed by Joint Commissioner, Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairy and Fisheries (DADF) to maintain constant vigil on the situation arising out of avian influenza (H5N8).
The Committee will have representatives from Ministry of Health, Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change and Department of Agriculture Research and Extension (DARE) and representative of the Delhi Government. Besides, monitoring the situation, the Committee will assist the State Government in taking steps to contain the spread of Avian Influenza.
The Centre has also established a control room in DADF. The Control Room can be reached at these telephone numbers : 011-23384190 and 09448324121. Joint Commissioner, Dr. Munialappa has been named as the Nodal Officer and will be available for advice and help round the clock.
The National High Security lab for animal diseases – NIHSAD – the world body OIE recognised facility for disease diagnosis in South Asia and the Four Regional Laboratories, and the Central lab at IVRI have been instructed to give all assistance to the State Governments and get sample tested in an emergency response manner.