The Jagatsinghpur district administration in Odisha has begun culling of chickens in the port town of Paradip from Sunday evening after confirmation of avian flu in different bird species.
Officials have advised locals not to consume chicken. Bird flu was confirmed in two dead crows earlier this month and later in chicken and ducks.
The culling was undertaken within 1 km radius of the place where bird flu was detected.
“A fortnight ago, we got samples of two dead crows to Animal Disease Research Institute, Fulnakhara. It confirmed the presence of H5N1. The National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD), Bhopal also confirmed the same,” said Ramesh Behera, Chief District Veterinary Officer of Jagatsinghpur.
Dr. Behera said samples of one duck and two chickens also showed the presence of H5N1.
The Jagatsinghpur district administration has constituted 10 rapid action force teams comprising veterinary surgeons, livestock inspectors and health officials for sanitisation of the area.
