Rourkela: Culling operation began in villages adjoining Rourkela Sunday after blood samples of chicken from the area tested positive for bird flu (H5N1) virus amid protests by some locals, officials said.
“Culling of birds has been ordered as we have received confirmation about presence of the avian influenza virus,” district collector, Sundargarh, BS Punia said.
He said five teams have been formed for undertaking the operation within 1 KM radius from Kacharu village opposite river Koel under Kuanrmunda block, which is considered the epicentre of the H5N1 virus.
“There would be no compromise as far as culling is concerned and in case of opposition we will see what can be done,” Punia said.
Residents of Kacharu, Pasara, Rampur and Sialjore villages had reported about chicken deaths recently that led to the test of blood samples of chickens and sounding of an alert in the area.
The administration met with protests at Khariatola and Chataktola, where the villagers objected to culling. There are hamlets in Kacharu village.
“Initially there was some opposition but when we talked to the villagers they finally accepted the drive,” additional district magistrate (ADM), Rourkela Manisha Banerjee, said. She said 40 persons have been deployed from different departments to undertake the culling operation while one team is busy in disinfection.
As far as compensation to bird owners is concerned, she said, they are being paid as per the rate fixed by the Union government.
At this moment, Rs 135 each is being paid for a duck, Rs 90 for large chicken and Rs 70 for lair, Rs 20 each for chick and Rs 3/per egg.
The teams had culled around 250 chickens, 416 chicks and destroyed 141 eggs so far and the process was still on, an official said.
“We are following the standard operating procedure and those directly involved in the process are being given Tamiflu as a precautionary measure,” chief district veterinary officer Dilip Pattnaik said.
He said the disposal was being done as per the rules prescribed.
The block officials had dug out pits near Bijubandha jungle near Kacharu and Pasara Saturday evening.
“We have already identified the areas where the process will be carried out and it will take us three to four days to complete the activity and we are also keeping an eye on the rest of the areas where there were deaths,” Pattnaik said. PNN