Khurda: The state health department Monday issued an alert after a strain of avian influenza (bird flu) was detected from three villages in Keranga and Badasahi panchayats in Khurda district for the first time this season.
After a series of unusual deaths of 31 crows and 21 chickens in the last few days in Keranga and Badasahi panchayats, the fisheries and animal resources development department sent samples to the National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD) in Bhopal. The samples tested positive for H5N1 avian influenza (AI).
Subsequently, the veterinary department and district administration stepped up measures to tackle the situation in the infected zones. Accordingly, a high alert was issued in a 1 km radius of Keranga village. Transport of chicken, duck and eggs to other areas has been restricted.
Besides, as many as 1,169 chicken, ducks, pigeons and parrots were identified within a 1-km radius of Keranga with culling set to begin from Tuesday. The veterinary department has formed eight rapid response teams for surveillance in a radius of 1-10 km. The RRTs will collect samples of poultry in a 10 km radius of the outbreak area and sensitise people about bird flu.
Sources said the residents of Keranga and Dibyasinghprasad in Keranga panchayat and Kundilo in Barasahi panchayat rear poultry such as chicken and duck. The residents found carcasses of 11 crows at Eidbag and two chickens from another area in the village December 19.
The residents informed the veterinary department and buried the carcasses. However, the deaths of chickens and crows continued and the residents again contacted the veterinary department. The veterinary department then informed the animal disease research institute in Phulnakhara. Later, two experts from the institute visited Keranga and collected samples of blood and droppings and sent them to the Regional Animal Disease Research Institute in Calcutta. The samples tested positive for H5N1 avian influenza (AI).
Meanwhile, a high-level meeting was chaired by district collector Niranjan Sahu to chalk out plans to tackle the situation.
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