Bird Flu Scare In Chilika Lake

Bhubaneswar: Amid the scare of avian influenza, the wildlife authorities in Chilika have taken precautionary measures as the migratory birds have started flocking the brackish lake in the state.

Divisional Forest Officer (Chilka wildlife) Bikash Ranjan Das said they have asked the authorities of the Animal Diseases Research Institute in Cuttack to take samples from the suspected migratory birds for testing of the bird flu.

He said they had taken surveillance measures to detect dead or sick bird in the lake spread over 1,100 sq km.

Besides, the personnel engaged in the anti-poaching camps are also inspecting the lake to detect any sick or dead bird. As many as 18 anti-poaching camps have been set up, he added.

Around 15,000 birds of 55 species have arrived in the lake so far, he said.