August 29, 2024

Odisha, India launches mass poultry culling amid H5N1 bird flu outbreak

The state of Odisha in eastern India has initiated a large-scale culling of poultry following a confirmed case of the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain of bird flu, World Echo News reported.

Over 1,000 chickens have already been culled, and the operation is set to extend to approximately 20,000 birds.

The outbreak was first identified in the Puri district, roughly 30 km from the state capital, Bhubaneswar. The situation escalated after the death of approximately 1,800 birds at a local poultry farm, prompting immediate intervention by state authorities.

Dr Jagannath Nanda, the additional director of disease control, said the work is ongoing, and they are going to cull about 20,000 birds.

The outbreak has raised concerns among government officials and the poultry industry due to the potential devastation it could cause to flocks, the risk of trade restrictions, and the possibility of human infection.

-      World Echo News