August 7, 2013

The Indian veterinary authority sent an immediate notification dated August 5 to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) regarding the two outbreaks of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) on poultry farms in the central state of Chattisgarh.

The report describes two outbreaks of HPAI at farms in the central Indian state of Chattisgarh, both starting on July 30.

Of the 2,149-strong flock at Anjora, the poultry production unit at the College of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry in Durg, 464 birds died.

At a government poultry farm in Jagadalpur, there were 3,600 affected birds including 2,392 deaths in the flock of 6,293.

The presence of the H5N1 subtype of the bird flu virus has been confirmed. This is the first outbreak of HPAI in the country since mid-June 2013.

The report adds that an epidemiological investigation is on-going. An intensive surveillance campaign has been launched in a 10-kilometre radius zone. Restocking will be applied in accordance with a specified protocol.