The state of Odisha in eastern India has culled over a thousand chickens after detecting the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain of avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, a state government official informed Reuters on Sunday.
The outbreak’s epicenter is in the Puri district, roughly 19 miles from Bhubaneswar, the state capital. This action follows the recent death of 1,800 birds at a nearby poultry farm.
Rapid response teams have been mobilized to cull the infected birds and bury them, the official stated.
Manoj Patnaik, Joint Director of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services, mentioned that all birds within a 1 km radius of the affected farm would be culled, and the farm will be barred from restocking chickens for the next five months.
Farmers will receive compensation in accordance with established guidelines. For small chickens, they will be compensated Rs 20 each, while larger ones will fetch Rs 60, Patnaik added.
“The culling operation is ongoing. We aim to cull approximately 20,000 birds,” stated Dr. Jagannath Nanda, Additional Director of Disease Control.
The H5N1 strain is known for its high pathogenicity and can spread to animals like pigs, horses, large cats, dogs, and occasionally humans.
The spread of this virus is a significant concern for governments and the poultry industry due to its potential to devastate flocks, trigger trade restrictions, and pose risks of transmission to humans.
Join our THE NEWS TIMES to keep talking on the latest News missions, and more! And if you have a news tip, correction or comment, let us know at.
Discover more from THE NEWS TIMES
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.