Bird flu outbreak: 5-member team begins chicken culling in Puri

Bhubaneswar: A day after detection of avian influenza virus in four villages under Krushna Prasad block of Puri, a 5-member team today began culling of chicken in the affected poultry farms.

While the bird-flu outbreak has mainly affected Sansahi, Malud and Patharganj areas, adequate measures have been taken to ensure that it doesn't spread to other areas. According to sources, culling of 400 birds has been executed in all the farms situated within 1 km radius from the affected farm and the culled birds have been buried.

Similarly, sale of eggs and chicken has been banned in Krushna Prasad block for next 10 days. Local administration has also decided to remove eggs from midday meals at Anganwadi centres and schools.

In view of the situation, the CDMO has formed 10 teams, out of which 5 teams have begun operations today and three teams have been kept on alert in Krushna Prasad block. Puri district collector Jyoti Prakash Das assured that the situation is under control.

"We are creating awareness on bird flu. All arrangements are being made so there is no need to panic," Das said.

"Bird flu was detected in Krushna Prasad block. Government is making all arrangements to stop bird flu from spreading to other areas," Fisheries & Animal Resources Development Minister Pradeep Maharathy informed.

Meanwhile, hundreds of crows were found dead in Tulasi Nagar area of Bolangir district as well. Samples of the dead birds have been sent to the Animal Disease Research Institute in Cuttack.