A bird flu outbreak has been confirmed in Raigarh, Chhattisgarh, leading to the culling of 17,000 chickens and quails at a government-run poultry farm. Officials have tightened monitoring in a 10 km area around the affected site.
Virus detection and immediate action
Recently, several chickens were found dead at the poultry farm in Chakradhar Nagar. Their samples were sent to the National Institute of High-Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD) in Bhopal, which confirmed the presence of the H5N1 virus on Friday night. Following this, Raigarh Collector Kartikeya Goel held an emergency meeting to plan the response.
A team from the municipal corporation, veterinary, and health departments worked overnight to control the outbreak. They culled 5,000 chickens and 12,000 quails and destroyed 17,000 eggs and poultry feed. The area was thoroughly sanitised to prevent further spread of the virus.
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Safety measures and restrictions
Authorities have sealed the affected farm and declared a 1 km area around it as an 'infected zone,' while the surrounding 10 km has been labelled a 'surveillance zone.' Within the infected zone, all poultry birds, eggs, and feed will be destroyed, and their movement is strictly prohibited.
The animal husbandry department will compensate poultry owners for their losses. Poultry and egg shops in the surveillance zone have been ordered to remain closed.
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No human cases reported, but caution advised
Officials confirmed that no humans have been affected by the outbreak. Dr. Bhanu Patel from the Raigarh health department assured that bird flu primarily spreads among birds and animals, with no cases of human transmission in India so far.
However, he advised people to stay cautious and watch for symptoms such as fever. Health workers will conduct door-to-door surveys and check-ups within 1 km of the farm to ensure early detection and treatment if needed.
Dr. Patel urged residents to visit a health center if they experience flu symptoms for timely medical care.
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