Bhubaneswar, (Reporterspen), Sept 13: The Directorate of Animal Husbandry has enforced a three-month ban on poultry farming in bird flu-affected regions of Puri, Odisha. The restriction applies to areas within Pipili, Delang, Nimapara, and Satyabadi, prohibiting poultry farming within a 1-km radius of the affected zones.
To prevent the spread of the virus, transportation of chickens beyond a 10-km radius is also banned. This measure aims to localize the outbreak and prevent further dissemination.
Chicken samples from these regions will be tested every 15 days, and additional measures will be implemented if the H5N1 virus is detected. The situation will be closely monitored and reassessed as needed.
The Fisheries and Animal Resource department has already sealed 55 of 861 poultry farms in Pipili block and 64 of 344 farms in Delang block to contain the outbreak. The discovery of the H5N1 strain led to extensive bird culling by local authorities, following directives from the Odisha government.
