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Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Bird flu confirmed in Odisha's Puri district; over 6000 chickens to be culled
Over 6,000 chickens would be culled after the National Institute for High Security Animal Diseases, Bhopal, confirmed the presence of H5N1 avian influenza virus in samples taken from the infected poultry in Odisha's Puri district on Saturday, officials said. Avian influenza A virus subtype H5N1 Influenza A(H5N1) is the most common cause of bird flu in humans. (Representational image) Dr. Somnath Das, the Block Veterinary Officer of Delang in Puri said, over 6,000 chickens would be culled and buried in Bada Ankula village, the epicentre of the infection. 'Since the last two weeks, there have been reports of thousands of chickens dying in poultry firms in the district. We had sent samples of other birds to the National Institute for High Security Animal Diseases which confirmed that the chickens are infected with H5N1 virus. To contain the spread of the virus, bird culling will be carried out within a 1-kilometre radius of the epicentre. Additionally, a 10-kilometre radius will be under surveillance from the culling centre,' he said. As a precautionary measure, all poultry shops within 10 kilometres of the affected area will be closed. The authorities are taking these steps to prevent further spread of the virus and contain the outbreak. Five Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) have been deployed to conduct surveys and raise awareness among poultry owners and sellers. The teams are expected to assist in enforcement and ensure all guidelines are followed in the high-risk zone. In February this year, an outbreak of bird flu or avian influenza was reported from Pipili area of Puri prompting the authorities to cull more than 11,700 chickens after detecting the H5N1 strain of avian influenza. Avian influenza, commonly called 'bird flu,' is a viral infection that spreads in birds but can sometimes spread to humans. Avian influenza A virus subtype H5N1 Influenza A(H5N1) is the most common cause of bird flu in humans. However, recently, bird flu in humans has been found due to H7N7 and H7N9 strains of the influenza.
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Thousands of poultry deaths reported in Odisha district amid fears of bird flu
Five months after bird flu cases were reported in several poultry farms in Odisha's coastal Puri district, the region is once again witnessing concern, with over 500 poultry deaths recently reported and claims suggesting more than 5,000 bird deaths over the past week. A worker feeds chickens at a poultry farm. (PTI) Veterinary department officials in Puri said over the past several days, several poultry farms in the district have reported an unusual number of deaths amid concerns of a bird flu outbreak. 'The deaths have been reported mostly from several villages of Delang area. Though poultry farm owners claim the deaths to be due to avian influenza, we are yet to get a confirmation. We have sent samples of chicken droppings and blood to the National Institute of High-Security Animal Disease, Bhopal for confirmation,' Puri district chief veterinary officer Dr Sarat Kumar Behera. Officials said thousands of chicken deaths have been reported in villages like Amula, Sishuapada, Gediput, Matiapada, Beguniapada, Singhabrahmapur, Tinpur and Gadmotata of Delang block. District Chicken Farmers Development Forum advisor Ashok Pradhan said the government should provide assistance to the affected chicken farmers. In February this year, an outbreak of bird flu or avian influenza was reported from Pipili area of Puri prompting the authorities to cull more than 11,700 chickens after detecting the H5N1 strain of avian influenza. Avian influenza, commonly called 'bird flu', is a viral infection that spreads in birds but can sometimes spread to humans. Avian influenza A virus subtype H5N1 Influenza A(H5N1) is the most common cause of bird flu in humans. However, recently, bird flu in humans has been found due to H7N7 and H7N9 strains of the influenza.
