The Bandipora district of North Kashmir on Tuesday reported its first case of avian influenza as samples taken from dead domestic geese returned positive for the disease, an official said.

An official said that samples from dead domestic geese have returned positive for H5N8 from Saderkoot Payeen village of Bandipora.

He said, this is a first positive case in Bandipora district but there is no need to panic adding that a rapid response team has been deployed to the area and the department has taken necessary measures in accordance with the government guidelines to prevent the spread of the infection.

Deputy Commissioner Bandipora, Dr. Owais Ahmad said that an avian influenza case has been detected in the district.

"In view of the above, and in order to control and contain the spread of avian influenza, I Dr. Owais Ahmad, IAS, Deputy Commissioner Bandipora in terms of instructions contained in the above referred Government Notification and The Revised Action Plan for the prevention, control and containment of the avian influenza-2021 issued by the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, do hereby order as under," reads an order copy issued by DC Bandipora.

It further reads, "Habituation within 1 km radius from the epicentre viz Khar Mohalla, Hajam Mohalla & Gojjerpatti village of Saderkoot Payeen are declared as "infected zone". Villages within 10Kms radius from epicentre viz Saderkoot Bala, Ajas, Check Sadunara, Garoora and Nadihal are declared as 'Surveillance Zone'."

Earlier, samples tested positive for avian influenza from different parts of Kashmir. (KDC)