After Puri, bird flu spreads tentacles in Odisha’s Kendrapara; directions issued for culling operations

After spreading tentacles in Puri, bird flu has now reached Kendrapara district. The samples from villages in Kendrapara district that had been sent to the National Institute for High-Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD), Bhopal, have been found positive for H5N1 Avian Influenza virus (bird flu).

The villages of Balia and Ender of Derabish block in Kendrapara district have been notified as epicenters of the H5N1 virus. Fisheries and Animal Resources Department, Government of Odisha, has directed the District Collector and Magistrate to take up culling operations and sanitization measures within 0-1km radius of the infected zone in those villages to control and containment of H5N1 virus as per government guidelines.

According to sources, the villages of Ender epicenter are Nilakanthapur-Nilakanthapur,  Pachisimaniapatana, Bibhutipada, Satabatia, Tilanga, and Baghala. Similarly, the villages of Balia epicenter are Balia, Ario, Oukhanda, Mulanapatana, Jagulaipada, Deshpur, Chasakhanda, Golarhat, Dumukahata, Narua and Satabatia.

The district administration has completely banned the movement of live birds from and to the infected zone. On the other hand, disposal of dead birds and infected materials is being carried out as per protocol.

The premises have been sealed and clean-up and disinfection are being carried out. The administration will also pay compensation for the forced culling of poultry birds, and destruction of eggs and poultry feed as per the prevailing rate of compensation communicated by the Government of India.

On the other hand, the shops and markets dealing with poultry products within a radius of 10km from the infected sites shall remain closed until further orders. Moreover, surveillance throughout the Kendrapara district has been intensified by CDVO to prevent further spread of infection.

Following the bird flu detection, the administration has imposed restrictions on villages close to Bhitarkanika Park.