Bilaspur bird flu under Centre lens, curbs hit poultry trade

Raipur: The Centre has stepped into the bird flu outbreak in Bilaspur, with a multi-disciplinary expert team launching a ground assessment even as containment measures continue to disrupt the local poultry economy.A four-member team from AIIMS and the National Centre for Disease Control on Monday and Tuesday inspected key facilities, including the collectorate control room for bird flu, CIMS hospital and the govt poultry farm in Koni, where avian influenza (H5N1) was confirmed last month.The outbreak, detected between March 19 and 24, triggered culling of thousands of infected birds, disinfection drives and movement restrictions, with authorities declaring an infected zone and a wider surveillance belt to prevent spillover.Officials said the central team examined sanitation and biosecurity measures at the Koni farm and sought details from the animal husbandry department on the source of infection, which remains unclear. As part of containment, infected birds, hatchlings and other materials were destroyed.The team also reviewed healthcare preparedness at CIMS, including microbiology facilities, isolation wards, ventilator support and bed capacity. Hospital records of suspected patients were scrutinised. So far, no human infection has been reported. On Tuesday, surveillance expanded beyond the epicentre, with health screening and sample collection underway in villages such as Akaltari, Khaira and Nagoi within a 10-km radius. Collector Sanjay Agrawal told TOI that a second round of spray will be done for ensuring protection and the particular farm that served as source of the flu, will remain closed for the next three months. The district administration has imposed a ban on sale, purchase and transport of poultry products within the restricted zone, while monitoring continues in surrounding areas, he said. However, the prolonged curbs have severely impacted livelihoods. More than 200 chicken shops in and around Bilaspur remain shut, affecting hundreds of families dependent on the trade. Poultry traders and shop owners gathered at the collectorate, submitting a memorandum seeking permission to reopen businesses.