The Civic authorities in Mumbai have been instructed to closely monitor the poultry movement in Mumbai and screen all poultry meat and birds being brought into the city. After the outbreak of bird flu in Nandurbar, only the chickens from non- infected areas like Pune, Thane, Alibaug and Raigad were allowed to enter Mumbai on Saturday. The veterinary doctors are being deployed at each Octroi Naka and Deonar slaughterhouse has been directed to maintain the surveillance of all poultry products entering Mumbai.

"In Concern areas, veterinary doctors should certify all trucks or vehicles loaded with chicken. Without the certification no vehicle would be allowed to enter the city. From 107 trucks checked on Saturday, about twelve have been sent back due to lack of authentic certificate. About 1lakh chickens were brought on Saturday, out of which 2000 have been returned. BMC is also screening the local markets. More than 100 civic officers and inspectors are appointed to check the markets," said Dr Ambe, Joint executive health officer, BMC.

Ensuring that no cases of bird flu have been registered in Mumbai, Dr Ambe said that the city is absolutely safe. But as a precautionary measure to deal with the epidemic, in addition to Kasturba and KEM hospitals that already have isolation wards, Sion's Lokmanya Tilak Municipal General Hospital and BYL Nair hospital have also been asked to prepare isolation wards.

Also, BMC officials are in touch with the government. The population in 10 km vicinity of Navapur, the epicentre of the outbreak, has been kept under surveillance and more than 200 vets have been sent to Nandurbar. The state has set up helplines at Mantralaya, Deonar slaughterhouse and BMC head office.