MOST IMMEDIATE

CUSTOMS INSTRUCTION DATE 21/01/2008

Alert in view of outbreak of ‘Avian Flu’ in West Bengal-reg.
I am directed to inform that there is an outbreak of Avian Influenza in the districts of Birbhum and Dakshin Dinajpur of West Bengal. In the present outbreak, 102 villages have reported unusual mortality, with about 35,000 poultry affected. Numbers are likely to go up also.

2. The Government has already initiated necessary control and containment operations. However, In view of the above, cross-border movement of poultry and poultry products needs to be monitored especially in the region bordering Bangladesh where avail influenza has been reported over the past ten months.

3. It may be recalled that the Board had issued instructions in this regard from time to time vide letters of even number dated 13.10.2005, 28.3.2007, 5.4.2007, 11.4.2007 and 5.9.2007 and Board’s circular Nos. 48/2005-Customs dated 28.11.2005 and 13/2007-Customs dated 2.3.2007 alerting the Customs field formations about the Avian Flu and the detailed procedure to be followed for clearance of livestock and livestock products.

4. It is requested that all officers under your charge may be suitably alerted / instructed to remain vigilant on international movement of poultry and poultry products at the border.

F.No.450/122/2005-Cus-IV

Yours faithfully,

(Aseem Kumar)
Under Secretary (Customs)

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