3 days ago
Another 3k birds culled in Puri dist amid flu outbreak
Bhubaneswar: More than 3,000 birds were culled on the second day in Delanga area of Puri district following a bird flu outbreak. The culling, which began on Saturday, focused on preventing the spread of H5N1 virus by removing infected poultry.
"The govt is fully prepared and taking all necessary steps to contain the outbreak swiftly, safeguard public health, and protect the poultry sector," fisheries and animal resources development (F&ARD) minister Gokulananda Mallick said on Sunday after visiting Bada Ankula village in Puri's Delanga block.
Over two days, 6,756 birds were culled within a 1-km radius of the epicentre. The carcasses were scientifically disposed of in deep lime-treated pits as per bio-safety protocols, official sources said.
The minister reviewed on-ground response and directed officials of F&ARD department and the district administration to intensify containment and surveillance measures to prevent the further spread of the disease. Mallick assured that compensation will be provided to affected poultry farmers within the next two days.
"The livelihoods of poultry farmers will not be allowed to suffer. We are taking every possible step to support them and ensure the situation is under control," he said.
