Bird flu is to blame for the death of three birds in Bastar and Dantewada districts of Chhattisgarh, an official said on Monday.
With this, cases of avian influenza have been confirmed in three districts -- Bastar, Dantewada and Balod, an official press release said.
Samples of a crow and a pigeon found dead at separate places in Jagdalpur, the headquarters of Bastar district, and of a dead crow in Bacheli town of Dantewada were sent for testing to the National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD) in Bhopal on January 14.
"Reports of all the three samples came out positive for H5N8 avian influenza virus on Sunday," the release said.
However, the infection has not been reported in poultry birds in the two districts.
In the wake of these cases, all districts in Chhattisgarh have been put on alert and directed to follow protocols laid down by the central government.
As per the bio-security measures, areas within a radius of one km from the two places in Jagdalpur where the crow and pigeon were found dead have been declared "infected zones", said Laxmi Ajgale, Joint Director of Veterinary services in Bastar.
A Rapid Response Team has launched necessary action, she said, adding that disinfectants are being sprayed in the areas and poultry birds are being monitored.
Similar measures have also been undertaken at Bacheli town where a bird was found dead, another official said.
Last week, samples of some chickens found dead at a poultry farm in Balod district had tested positive for the avian influenza.