Bhubaneswar, July 25: A bird flu outbreak has been confirmed in Odisha’s Khordha district, prompting the district administration to initiate culling operations in the affected areas to contain the spread.
The outbreak was detected after poultry samples from Mundamba village tested positive for avian influenza at a laboratory in Bhopal. As a preventive step, authorities have culled approximately 4,507 chickens in the village, said sources.
To prevent further transmission, the district administration is conducting culling in and around the affected zones. Poultry farms within a 10-kilometer radius are under active surveillance, and additional samples have been sent to Bhopal for testing.
Officials have assured that all necessary precautions are being taken, including containment protocols, disinfection, and public awareness campaigns, to ensure the outbreak does not escalate.
This incident follows a similar outbreak in Delang, located in the neighboring Puri district, where bird flu was reported earlier this month. Around 6,000 chickens were culled in Delang under the supervision of senior veterinary and administrative officials.
Initial signs of the disease in Delang emerged with unexplained poultry deaths. Residents, unaware of the potential risks at first, reported the matter after growing concerned. Samples were collected on July 9, and lab tests later confirmed the presence of bird flu, triggering swift containment measures.
The animal husbandry department continues to monitor the situation closely in both districts, urging poultry farmers and residents to report any unusual bird deaths immediately.
