September 05: Poultry farmers from 12 Gewogs in Tsirang attended a daylong awareness program on bird flu.

The dzongkhag has a large number of poultry farms.

The awareness program was conducted by officials from the Dzongkhag veterinary hospital and the regional veterinary laboratory in Gelephu.

They briefed the participants on the risk of bird flu and taught them how to detect bird flu and other poultry diseases.

The veterinary officials also explained the signs and symptoms of bird flu and how to manage the poultry farms. They advised the farmers on what feed they should use, how to feed, and explained the importance of vaccinating the poultry from time to time.

Stressing the importance of maintaining cleanliness, the officials said it is important to construct farms with proper drainage, ventilation, and high fencing.

They said the fencing should be high enough to prevent migratory birds from entering the farm. Wild birds, they said, could carry disease.

The program was aimed at promoting awareness and preventing bird flu from entering the kingdom. Officials said if the farmers should see any of the symptoms they should report immediately to the veterinary hospital.