Bird flu outbreak suspected in Kendrapara, Puri continues to be hotspot

After Pipili, bird flu menace gripped Delanga area in Puri. The culling operation was reportedly initiated in the area after sample collected from one Sumitra Samantray’s chicken farm at Motari panchayat in the area was tested positive and H5N1 strain of avian influenza or bird flu.

As per reports, around 3,200 chickens were culled by the Rapid Response Teams (RRTs). Apart from this, the culling operation will be carried out in around 74 chicken farms in five gram pachayats located inside one km periphery of Sumitra Samantray’s chicken farm. As many as 10 RRTs have been engaged in the process.

Notably, Pipili and Delanga blocks in Puri district have turned into hotspots for bird flu. The district administration has kept a strong vigil on the chicken farms in the area.

 
Meanwhile, chicken culling has also been initiated in Balipada panchayat under Nimapara block in the district. Members of the Rapid Response Teams have started culling operations at the chicken farm of Manoranjan Dash in the village. In the first phase, around 2,000 chickens have been culled. A target has been set to cull around 10,000 chickens in the peripheral area of the farm tomorrow.

Meanwhile, suspicion of the bird flu outbreak in Kendrapara grew after dead chickens packed in sacks were found on the road at Baikia village under Derabis police station in the district. However, it is yet to be ascertained why the dead chickens were thrown on the road. As bird flu detected in several parts of Puri district, local people are in fear that avian influenza might have spread in their area as well.