Bhubaneswar, (Reporterspen), Aug 28: Two suspected cases of bird flu in humans have been reported in Puri, Odisha, even as mass culling of chickens continues in the district. Official sources indicate that these suspected cases were identified at the Community Health Centre (CHC) in Puri, and samples have been sent to the Regional Medical Research Centre (RMRC) in Bhubaneswar for confirmation.
Public Health Director Nilakantha Mishra confirmed that samples from the suspected cases are also being tested at the Pune Virology Centre to determine if the cases are indeed positive for avian influenza. Although human transmission of bird flu is rare, it can occur among individuals with direct contact with infected birds.
The culling of chickens was initiated following the detection of the H5N1 virus in farms located in Pipilli and Satyabadi areas of Puri district, as reported by the National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSD). Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling stated that the department is actively responding, with ASHA workers conducting door-to-door awareness campaigns and distributing Tamiflu medication as part of the containment efforts.
