India’s Odisha State Culls Thousands of Chickens After Bird Flu Outbreak

Sun Aug 25 2024
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BHUBANESWAR: The state of Odisha in eastern India has started a mass culling of poultry as over 1,000 chickens have already been culled following a confirmed case of the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain of bird flu, with plans to extend the culling operation to approximately 20,000 birds.

The outbreak was first detected in the Puri district, located about 19 miles from the state capital, Bhubaneswar. The situation escalated after the death of around 1,800 birds at a local poultry farm, prompting immediate action from state authorities.

Dr. Jagannath Nanda, the Additional Director of Disease Control, provided an update on the situation, stating, “The work is ongoing. We are going to cull about 20,000 birds.”

The H5N1 strain of avian influenza is known for its severe impact on bird populations and poses risks beyond the poultry industry. It is also transmissible to other animals, including pigs, horses, large cats, and dogs, and in rare cases, can infect humans.

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

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