Over 5000 chickens were culled in the Pipili area of Odisha's Puri district on Monday, 25th August. After the mass deaths of chickens were reported at a poultry farm in Pipli on 17th August, a team of veterinary team was sent by the State Government. The veterinary team collected samples and sent them for the testing process.
The H5N1 avian influenza was detected in the samples. After the test results came positive, the government ordered to start culling the chickens present on the farm and in the locality on Sunday, 24th August.
Avian influenza also known as ‘bird flu’ is a viral infection that commonly spreads in birds. The H5N1 avian influenza virus causes serious illness in birds and gets rapidly spread among them. This influenza increases the rate of deaths among different bird species. It mainly infects birds but it can also infect human beings. Infection in human beings can be acquired due to the direct contact with the infected animal or through indirect contact with the contaminated area.
Additional director of disease control, Jagannath Nanda was quoted saying that 300 chickens were culled on Saturday and over 4700 were culled on Sunday. A total of 20,000 chickens will be culled in Pipli. Rapid response teams are engaged in culling and burying them.
The Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services Joint Director, Manoj Patnaik reportedly said that the birds within the 1 km radius of the Pipli’s poultry will be culled and the farms of Pipli will not stock chicken for another 5 months. He further said that the farmers will get the compensation from the government. They will be provided with Rs. 20 for small chickens and Rs. 60 for the bigger ones.
Along with culling, extensive disinfection measures are taken in the affected area in order to prevent the virus from getting spread in the region. Pipli’s residents are advised to not come in contact of the birds and to report sick and dead poultry to the authorities.
Authorities have also put a temporary ban on the transport and sale of poultry products to prevent the spread of the Avian flu. Officials have requested the public to cooperate with them in order to control the situation effectively.