PTI
 
New Delhi, Aug 12: India has declared itself as a Avian Influenza free country following no outbreak of Bird Flu cases for almost four months, an official statement said here on Saturday.

"India has declared that it has regained its status as an avian influenza free country," it said.

It said the final report in this regard has been sent by the Department of Animal Husbandry to Office International des Epizooties (OIE) (World Organisation of Animal Health) on Friday.

It said though India has declared itself free from highly pathogenic Avian Influenza, it will continue to undertake surveillance.

"Considering the global spread of Avian Influenza and the situation in the neighbouring country where it is almost endemic, surveillance will continue in the country as a whole, especially in the outbreak areas, areas of major poultry concentration and those visited by migratory birds," it said.

On February 18, 2006 India notified the OIE of such an outbreak in Navapur and Ucchal areas of Maharashtra and Gujarat.

Further outbreaks were notified in Jalgaon district of Maharashtra with spill over into Madhya Pradesh.

The last outbreak was detected on April 18, 2006 in Jalgaon district, it said adding "there has been no further outbreak of Avian Influenza after that".