Bhubaneswar: Odisha, a state in eastern India, has initiated the culling of over a thousand chickens following confirmation of the highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, according to a state government official.
The outbreak’s epicenter is in Puri district, located approximately 19 miles from Odisha’s capital, Bhubaneswar. It was triggered by the recent death of 1,800 birds at a local poultry farm.
“The work is ongoing. We are going to cull about 20,000 birds,” said Dr. Jagannath Nanda, Additional Director of Disease Control, in a statement to Reuters.
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The H5N1 strain is notorious for its virulence and potential to infect not only poultry but also animals such as pigs, horses, large cats, and dogs. In rare cases, the virus can be transmitted to humans.
The outbreak has raised significant concerns among both the government and the poultry industry. The H5N1 virus can cause widespread damage to bird populations, disrupt trade, and pose a potential risk of human transmission, prompting swift containment efforts.
