NEW DELHI, Jan 6: Thousands of birds are falling dead in various parts of the country due to bird flu (avian influenza). The incidence was first noticed in Himachal Pradesh a week ago when 1,400 carcasses of migratory birds were found. Most of the dead were the endangered bar-headed goose visiting the Pong Dam sanctuary. A thousand more have died since. Tests have confirmed it is bird flu, the highly infectious H5N1 strain.

Bird flu alert has been given out in the States of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat and Kerala.

In Rajasthan, bird flu was found in crows that died in Jhalawar district last week. Over 250 crows were found dead in half a dozen districts in the State.

In Madhya Pradesh too the virus was found in dead crows in Indore, Mandsaur, Agar-Malwa, Khargone and Sehore. In all 400 crows have died in the State, including 142 crows in Indore, 100 in Mandsaur, 112 in Agar-Malwa, 13 in Khargone and 9 in Sehore districts in the last 15 days. H5N8 virus was detected in tests conducted at Bhopal labs.

In Gujarat's Junagad district 50 birds, including ducks, were found dead in the last few days. Bird flu has not been confirmed in these deaths.

Culling of ducks, hens and other birds in one kilometre radius of the affected areas has begun in Kottayam and Alappuzha districts of Kerala to contain its spread. Around 1,700 ducks have died in a duck farm in in Kottayam district. The dead birds will be burnt or buried.

The bird flu is highly infectious, expecially the strain of H5N1, which is fatal for human beings as well. H5N1 spreads to humans on contact. It leads to respiratory infection and pneumonia.

The symptoms of bird flu which is like common flu show up in two to eight days of contact. Cough, fever, sore throat, muscle aches, headache and shortness of breath follow. Swab test is required to confirm. The medication is antivirals.