Bird flu virus detected in wild crows in Naugachia

Bhagalpur: Avian influenza (H5N1), commonly known as bird flu, has been detected in the serum samples of wild crows found dead in large numbers in Naugachia subdivision of Bhagalpur district, raising fresh concerns after a similar outbreak in Darbhanga recently.

The Bhagalpur district animal husbandry department (DAH) confirmed the presence of the virus after receiving serum forensic test reports from the Institute of Animal Health & Production, Patna, and the Regional Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (RDDL), Kolkata.

More than 100 carcasses of wild crows were found lying under trees in the fields near the Kutchery grounds in Naugachia on Jan 11. Alarmed by the sudden deaths, locals informed forest department officials as well as Naugachia sub-divisional officers.

Forest department personnel cordoned off the affected area and took the carcasses into custody. A joint preliminary investigation was subsequently carried out by the forest department and the DAH to assess the situation and ascertain the possible causes behind the mass deaths at a single location.

A rapid response team from the DAH, equipped with personal protective equipment (PPE) kits, later visited the site and formally collected the carcasses for detailed forensic examination. Serum samples were sent to laboratories in Patna and Kolkata for test.

Confirming the test results, Bhagalpur district animal husbandry officer Anjali Kumari told this newspaper on Sunday that laboratory analysis had established the presence of the bird flu virus. “Serum tests at the forensic laboratories have confirmed bird flu, and the wild crows died due to Avian Influenza (H5N1),” she said.

The district administration has initiated urgent measures to prevent further spread of the infection in the Bhagalpur region. According to the district animal husbandry officer, intensive sanitisation drives have been undertaken in Naugachia and surrounding areas, including the vicinity of poultry farms, starting Feb 1.

“Other steps, such as culling of poultry, will be taken if necessary,” she said, adding that there was no need for panic at present. “All precautionary measures are being implemented at the department level to contain the situation.”

A similar incident was reported recently from Darbhanga, where dead crows found in ward number 31 tested positive for bird flu, prompting the district animal husbandry department to intensify disinfection and surveillance measures.