Bird Flu Outbreak Confirmed in Puri’s Delanga; Over 6000 Chickens to Be Culled

The National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD), Bhopal, confirmed the presence of the virus on Friday night, prompting the state administration to initiate immediate containment measures.

More than 6,000 chickens will be culled today in and around the epicentre, as authorities move swiftly to prevent the spread of the infection. A one-kilometre culling zone has been demarcated around the affected village, while a 10-kilometre surveillance zone has been established where all poultry shops have been ordered to shut down until further notice.

Timeline & Community Response

Reports suggest unexplained poultry deaths began over two weeks ago in the area, but villagers remained unaware of the cause. The Animal Husbandry Department was alerted only after suspicions arose, leading to the collection of swab and blood samples on July 9. The subsequent positive result for H5N1 triggered an official outbreak declaration.

Containment Measures

The district administration, in coordination with the Animal Resources Development (ARD) Department, has deployed five Rapid Response Teams (RRTs). These teams are conducting ground-level surveys, educating poultry owners and vendors, and ensuring adherence to biosecurity guidelines.

Farms and poultry shops within a 3 km radius are under close surveillance. Officials are also monitoring the health of domestic and migratory birds in the area to assess the potential spread of the virus.

Public Advisory

Residents have been urged not to panic, but to avoid contact with birds, report any unusual poultry deaths, and comply with government instructions. The Health Department is also on alert to track any signs of avian-to-human transmission, though no human infections have been reported so far.

The culling operation and containment strategy are expected to continue over the next few days to ensure complete disinfection of the affected area.