Birds death spark off bird flu scare in Malkangiri

Hundreds of dead birds including different fowls, crows, storks, pigeons and mynahs were seen in many villages under Malkangiri and Korkunda blocks during last one week. "We just received a report about death of birds. A team of veterinarians rushed to the area to initiate remedial measures", chief district veterinary officer (CDVO) Rabi Narayan Behera said.

Meanwhile, due to lack of awareness as to how to deal with such deaths, fear stricken people threw the carcass in the open only to be devoured by stray dogs an other animals.

"No step has been taken by the district administration to create awareness among the people on dealing with bird carcass. Ignorant villagers throw them here and there causing health hazards in the area", said village president of MV-20 Subash Banarjee.

Another village leader Paritosh Ray said the people have been advised not to eat the fowls even as poultry business in the area had come to a standstill.

A member of the state bird-flu team Rajesh Kumar Kuanr, now on a tour of the district, said they were yet to get proper information about such incident. "We will rush to the spot once we get the information from the concerned authorities", he said.