Bird flu spiralling out of control in Puri

Puri: The avian influenza outbreak in Krushna Prasad block of Puri district is beginning to spiral out of control as mass culling of chicken at infected poultry farms continued for the eighth consecutive day today.

Based on the directives of the district administration, a ten-member team carried out culling operations today in several villages including Badasahi, Sanasahi and Bauripalli.

While around 12,000 chickens have been culled by Thursday, several hundred chickens were killed today.

Meanwhile, villagers have alleged that officials are not providing any warning prior to the culling. Locals alleged that while the administration had earlier informed that bird culling will be carried out within 1 km radius of the spots where the infection was first detected, the culling operation is being undertaken much beyond the identified area.  Moreover, the rise in the intensity of the culling operations has triggered panic among the local residents.

On the other hand, following deaths of large number of crows and poultry at Naba and Nandala village three days ago, blood samples of the infected birds have been sent for tests. However, the test results are yet to be received.