Bird flu outbreak confirmed in Bhagalpur poultry farm, containment steps begin

Bhagalpur: Avian influenza (H5N1), commonly known as bird flu, has been confirmed in poultry chickens at a regional poultry farm in Barari locality of Bhagalpur city, following serum test reports from the National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD), Bhopal.

Officials of the district animal husbandry department began containment measures on Monday to prevent further spread of the virus.

Around 3,000 poultry chickens have died in phases since the first week of April at the regional poultry farm. The deaths triggered concern among district officials, prompting laboratory testing of samples at NIHSAD, the Regional Disease Diagnostic Laboratory in Kolkata, and the Institute of Animal Health and Production in Patna.

With H5N1 confirmed, the department has initiated steps including culling of remaining poultry and destruction of eggs at the farm, treating it as the epicentre of the outbreak.

A rapid response team, equipped with personal protective equipment kits, has been deployed at the site to carry out containment measures and intensive sanitisation in and around the affected area.

Sources said authorities are considering closure of nearby poultry farms and culling operations within a 1km radius of the infected farm.

Bhagalpur district animal husbandry officer Anjali Kumari said, “Serum tests at NIHSAD has confirmed about the bird flu virus and the poultry chickens had died due to avian influenza - H5N1. Urgent steps to check further spreading of the bird flu in Bhagalpur region is being taken.”

She added, “Although there is no need to panic at present, all kinds of precautionary measures are being initiated.” She advised people to report any sudden deaths or symptoms in birds to the department immediately.
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