Bird flu outbreak in Odisha’s Puri district; over 6,700 birds culled

Bhubaneswar: A bird flu outbreak has been confirmed at a poultry farm in Bada Ankula village, located in the Delanga block of Odisha’s Puri district, prompting the state government to initiate emergency containment measures.

The outbreak involves the H5N1 avian influenza virus, a senior official confirmed on Sunday.

The National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD) in Bhopal detected the virus in samples collected from the affected area. Following the confirmation, the government launched mass culling operations, resulting in the killing of over 6,700 birds on Saturday and Sunday, in accordance with standard operating procedures (SOPs) issued by the central government.

Sarat Kumar Behera, Chief District Veterinary Officer (CDVO) of Puri, said five Rapid Response Teams (RRTs), along with health teams, have been deployed in the area to manage the outbreak.

Culling operations were carried out within a one-kilometer radius of the affected village. Officials have also collected samples from five nearby villages to test for possible further spread of the virus.

According to sources, the village had experienced unusual poultry deaths over the past week. However, the outbreak was officially confirmed only after residents raised concerns, prompting authorities to collect and test samples on July 9.

Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Minister Gokulananda Mallik visited the affected site to assess the containment efforts and ensure steps are in place to prevent further transmission of the virus.