Mass poultry deaths in Odisha's Kendrapara district

Amid the outbreak of bird flu in certain parts of Odisha, mass poultry deaths have been reported from the Kendrapara district, particularly in Derabish block's Baliapal Panchayat. Numerous chickens have died across several poultry farms in Ender, Narsinghpur, and Tilanga Panchayats, informed sources.

Local sources indicated that many dead chickens are lying scattered on several farms, triggering suspicion of a bird flu outbreak. 

Meanwhile, swab samples collected from the affected poultry farms have been sent to Bhopal and the results are awaited. 

The Collector has advised the departmental authorities to take preventative measures and set up check posts along district borders so that poultry and eggs from outside cannot be smuggled in.

Previously, concerns about a potential bird flu outbreak in Kendrapara increased when dead chickens, packed in sacks, were discovered on the roadside in Baikia village, located under Derabish Police Station. As per reports, authorities are investigating the matter.

Meanwhile, bird flu cases have been reported in Puri and Pipili areas, following which Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) culled approximately 3,200 chickens. Following reports of bird flu, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) advised against bringing chickens from outside the city and recommended using only locally sourced poultry. The BMC also urged citizens to avoid eating chicken for some days.