Over 35,000 Birds Culled For Aviation Influenza In Odisha

Bhubaneswar: More than 35,000 birds have been culled in the areas affected by aviation influenza (bird flu) in Odisha so far.

This was revealed during a high-level meeting of Central and state government officials held on Monday through video-conference to take stock of the measures taken to control and contain the avian influenza outbreak.

Manoj Ahuja, chief secretary of Odisha, Alaka Upadhyay, secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), Government of India, senior officers from the Central government and from the departments concerned of state government, Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation and Collectors of Puri, Kendrapada and Khurda attended the meeting.

It was mentioned in the meeting that four epicentres of the outbreak of bird flu have been confirmed in Pipili, Satyabadi, Nimapada and Delanga blocks of Puri district.

The control and containment operation was being carried out as per the action plan of the Central government. While the operation has been completed at Pipili and Satyabadi, the process was underway at Delanga and Nimapada.

Total 51 Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) have been engaged in culling, disposal of birds and sanitation in infected zone. Till now, 35,329 birds, 84 eggs and 15380 kg of poultry feed have been destroyed. A sum of Rs 10, 94, 572 has been given to the farmers as compensation for culling of birds and destruction of eggs and poultry feed.

Chief Secretary Ahuja instructed to take up massive public awareness, intensify clinical surveillance in nearby areas and prevent entry of poultry, feed and poultry related products to the affected areas. “A sampling plan will be prepared for collection of serum and sending regular samples to designated laboratories for surveillance. The deep burial site will be protected and uploaded in portal,” he said.

The Secretary, DAHD, Government of India assured all types of support to the state for control and containment of the outbreak. A Central team will visit the state on September 4 and 5 for further monitoring, she said.