17,000 chickens culled after bird flu scare in Chhattisgarh

At least 17,000 chickens and quails were culled at a state-run poultry farm in Chhattisgarh’s Raigarh district after avian influenza (bird flu) was detected. The outbreak, caused by the H5N1 virus, was confirmed on Friday night by the National Institute of High-Security Animal Diseases after several chickens were found dead at the farm in Chakradhar Nagar.

Raigarh Collector Kartikeya Goel convened an emergency meeting to develop a response strategy. A joint operation by the municipal corporation, veterinary, and health departments led to the culling of 5,000 chickens and 12,000 quails, along with the destruction of 17,000 eggs and poultry feed. The affected premises were sanitized, and the farm was sealed.

He said the departments concerned were activated to ensure the situation was brought under control before sunrise and the infection did not spread outside that area. He added that the affected premises were sanitised.

Dr Bhanu Patel of the Raigarh health department said the bird flu virus spreads mainly among birds and animals, and there have been no cases of the infection spreading to humans in India. He, however, said people need to remain cautious about the risks of infection.