New Delhi: Alarmed over reports of bird flu in neighbouring countries, Government today (Jan 29, 2004) announced a ban on import of processed poultry food and declared a red alert to prevent spread of the disease.

It has also decided to intensify vigil over passengers of Samjhauta Express from Pakistan.

Health Minister Sushma Swaraj made public these decisions after the first high-level co-ordination meeting of Ministries of Health and Agriculture.

"More attention is being paid on border States like Rajasthan, Gujarat and Punjab, where a red alert has been declared," she told reporters after a meeting which was attended by Agriculture Minister Rajnath Singh and representatives of WHO and FAO.

This follows reports of bird flu cases in Pakistan, she said.

Swaraj said no case of bird flu has been reported in the country till now and State Governments had been asked to report to the Centre about reports of mass death of chickens or poultry birds. "The situation is fully under control," she said.