Bird flu detected at OUAT in Odisha, culling within 1km radius

Bhubaneswar:  The state government has decided culling of poultry after bird flu was detected at Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) here on Monday.

Bird flu strain confirmed in samples sent to Bhopal for testing, informed concerned department head, Sushen Panda.

After confirmation of Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) in OUAT poultry farm located inside the campus of College of Veterinary Science & Animal Husbandry, the state government has mobilized all their resources for control and containment of the disease.

This disease is a viral one and the causative agent is H5N1 influenza virus.

The area within 1 km radius of the infected site of OUAT poultry farm has been declared as the infected zone and area within 1 to 10 km radius of the infected site has been declared as the surveillance zone.

All the poultry birds within 1 km radius of the infected site will be culled and disposed of by deep burial method with application of disinfectants like lime and bleaching powder, said an official.

The area will be disinfected with bleaching powder to check any further contamination.

To carry out the culling operation and surveillance measures, 12 Rapid Response Teams (RRT) have been formed with qualified Veterinary Doctors and Para-veterinarians.

Seven teams will be engaged for culling operation within 1 km radius of the infected site and the rest five will carry out surveillance measures in the surveillance zone.

The RRTs within 1 km radius of the infected site will cull the poultry birds in the OUAT poultry farm and the shops and establishments in the infected zone.

They will also cull the birds reared in the backyard system within 1 km radius of the infected site by visiting the farmers at their door-step.

As a measure of surveillance, the RRTs in the surveillance zone will collect blood, tracheal and cloacal samples from poultry birds in the surveillance zone at regular intervals.