After a high alert was issued in the district over outbreak of avian flu in Amethi district, the district administration has formed a task force to tackle the threat, reports Times of India.

Furthermore, 200 samples of birds from all four districts of Bareilly division, including Bareilly, Shahjhanpur, Pilibhit and Badaun, were collected and sent for tests to IVRI. The samples are likely to be forwarded to IVRI lab in Lucknow.

The task force formed by D.M. Gaurav Dayal will monitor avian influenza at the district level and includes officials from various departments including forest, animal husbandry and health. A Rapid Response Team has also been formed to regularly monitor birds in the district and inform authorities concerned in case of abnormal deaths of birds anywhere in the region.

Members of the task force collected samples of bird excreta from all four districts and sent them to Indian Veterinary Research Center (IVRI) for tests. As per reports, samples of 200 birds - 75 from Bareilly district, 25 from Badaun district, 40 from Pilibhit district and 60 from Shahjahanpur district were collected by task force and were sent to IVRI for tests.

Additional director, animal husbandry, N.P.S. Gehlot told the newspaper: "A 36-member special team of doctors will remain on vigil in district and will conduct random checking of birds in poultry farms and others. A help line number dedicated to avian influenza (bird flu) 0581-2557086 where locals can inform about deadly disease."

In case of any reports of abnormal deaths of birds due to avian flu, birds found within 3km of the epidemic centre will be killed while a close watch on birds within 7km will be kept by RRT and task force members, said Mr Gehlot.

Poultry farmers and locals are asked to inform unusual deaths at the earliest so that influence of deadly virus can be checked with in time.

AD, health, Subodh Sharma asked locals not to consume raw eggs. The virus gets killed after boiling or heating meat over 70 degrees Celsius. However, he advised locals to avoid eating flesh as a precautionary measure for some time.

The Times of India report adds that health officials advise the main symptoms of flu in people are high fever, malaise, cough, sore throat and muscle aches, while earlier symptoms may include chest pain, diarrhoea and abdominal pain.