Bhubaneswar, (Reporters Pen): Sept 3: In response to a bird flu outbreak affecting parts of Odisha, a Central team is set to arrive on Wednesday to assess the situation and develop strategies to curb the spread of avian influenza. The team, composed of senior officials and experts from the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), will conduct a two-day visit for comprehensive monitoring.
During their visit, the team will examine the affected areas in Puri district and engage in discussions with state government officials to review the outbreak’s impact. The Centre has pledged full support to Odisha for controlling and containing the outbreak.
To date, over 35,000 birds have been culled in the affected regions. The situation has been reviewed in a high-level video-conference involving Central and state government officials, including Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation and the Collectors of Puri, Kendrapada, and Khurda districts.
The bird flu outbreak has been identified in four epicentres within Puri district: Pipili, Satyabadi, Nimapada, and Delanga. Control measures, in line with the Central government’s action plan, have been completed in Pipili and Satyabadi, with ongoing operations in Delanga and Nimapada. A total of 51 Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) are actively involved in culling, bird disposal, and sanitation efforts.
The state government has directed authorities to ramp up public awareness campaigns, intensify clinical surveillance in surrounding areas, and restrict the movement of poultry and related products into the affected zones.
