Agriculture Production Commissioner Anis Ansari will convene a meeting on the issue on January 21. According to an official statement issued by his office, the meeting, to discuss the prevention and control of bird flu, will be attended by officials of all departments concerned.

“It is not new — for about two years now, every fortnight I hold meetings on bird flu. Even the chief secretary is holding monthly meetings on the issue. Instead of panicking, it is better to take precautionary measures,” said Ansari.

Meanwhile, the animal husbandry department has issued an official notice stating it will hold a workshop on the issue on Monday. Two experts from Pune will educate state officials.

Department officials said the department was vigilant and a task force had already been established to deal with any eventuality. Similarly, the respective district authorities had been directed to constitute task forces at the district level, said a source.