The minister blamed a possible inflow of the virus to migratory birds alone. "Cases have been reported from neighbouring countries like Pakistan, Afghanistan and Myanmar and India falls on the route of three major flyways of migratory birds, which are the possible source of infection," said Bhuria.
But experts differ with him, believing illegally imported poultry or vaccines may be a greater threat. A senior government official said, "In the UK, the high profile case that everyone remembers was from illegally imported turkey. Such a threat exists in the northeastern states of India, which are close to Myanmar, and in rest of India also."
Senior wildlife biologists also differ with the minister's opinion. "At this point of time, all winter migratory birds are flying back from India to northern countries, they cannot be carriers into the country," said K S Gopi Sundar, research associate, International Crane Foundation, Minnesota, US.
From: The Times Of India, March-20,07
