With the confirmation of avian influenza (bird flu) spreading in four States of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and Kerala, the Centre government has called for all the state governments to be fully prepared for any eventuality, reports Times of India.

The Centre has asked the state governments to ensure sufficient stock of personal protective equipment (PPE) kits and accessories which would be necessary for any culling operations.

To take stock of the evolving situation, Secretary at the Union government's Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying held a meeting with the state officials to understand the status of the outbreak and to suggest the measures for control, containment and prevention of the spread of the disease.

As per a statement issued following the crucial meeting, unusual mortality of poultry, migratory birds and crows has been reported in the four aforementioned States and Haryana, and culling operations are presently underway in the affected districts of Kerala.

In the meeting, it was also emphasised that besides increased surveillance around water bodies, live bird markets, zoos, poultry farms et cetera, it would also be important to ensure proper disposal of carcass and increased biosecurity at poultry farms.

It was also stressed that effective coordination with the state forest officials would be important for immediate reporting of any unusual mortalities in non-domestic birds in the forest areas and around water bodies.

The government has also deployed two teams to visit the affected tates for monitoring and epidemiological investigation.