Bird Flu In Infected Areas Of 2 Districts Under Control, Says Odisha Minister

Bhubaneswar: Even as the Odisha government’s ban on poultry farming in bird flu-affected areas of two districts is still in force, Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Minister Gokulananda Mallik on Monday said the situation was under control.

Speaking to the media, Mallik said since bird flu cases were reported mostly from Puri and Kendrapada, the government had imposed a ban on production and sale of poultry products in the two districts for three months. But the ground situation has improved following the ban and the disease is under control now, he added.

Assuring the people that there was no need to panic about the bird flu, the minister said, “There is no restriction on the poultry products in other parts of the state.”

He further said the Government was aware of the difficulties faced by the poultry traders of the two districts due to the ban on sale and export of chickens and eggs. But the issue would be resolves soon, he added.

Earlier in the month, a three-member Central team visited poultry farms in different areas of Puri to take stock of the situation.

The state government had engaged 51 Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) for culling, disposal of birds and sanitation in infected zone. More than 35,000 birds had been culled in the areas affected by bird flu in the state.

Also Read: Bird Flu In Odisha: Poultry Farming Banned For 3 Months In Affected Areas Of Puri