Bird flu alert in Balasore

[Balasore (also known as Baleswar and Baleshwar) is a strategically located city in the state of Orissa in eastern India.]

30 Jan 2010
BALASORE: The outbreak of bird flu in Murshidabad district of neighbouring West Bengal has spread panic among the poultry farmers in Balasore district.

While the border villages in Balasore and Mayurbhanj have been put on alert, Chief District Veterinary Officers (CDVOs) of both the districts have been asked to inspect chicken farms and hatcheries.Alert has been sounded in 120 villages in both the districts and local elected representatives have been asked to inform the veterinary officials in case of death of birds due to any disease.

Even as officials claim no incidence of bird flu has been reported in the State so far, the Animal Husbandry Department has started inspecting farms in both the districts.

The firm owners have been asked to vaccinate the birds and the veterinary officials have started vaccination in some areas.

Altogether 20 teams have been formed for the purpose.‘’We have collected 125 blood samples and 80 swab samples of chickens.

In the first phase no virus has been found in about 40 test reports. Still we are on alert and a control room has been opened round the clock to create awareness among people and farm owners about the disease,’’ CDVO of Balasore, Dolagobinda Nayak said.

‘’So far we have vaccinated nearly 6,000 birds in Balasore district.

The inspecting teams have been asked to complete the vaccination within a week. If they suspect flu virus in birds, the owners will be instructed to kill the whole lot in the hatchery,’’ he added.

Veterinary department sources said bird flu spreads through air and the government cannot take any risk.‘’Both organised and unorganised sectors will be checked during the drive.However, more stress will be given to farms situated in the bordering villages.

The areas put on alert include Kuliana, Rasagobindapur, Sarasakana, Morada in Mayurbhanj and Jaleswar and Bhogarai in Balasore,’’ said RK Dutta, a veterinary expert.

Reports said, Balasore district has 332 poultry farms (small and big). But no case of bird flu has yet been reported from the district, which is the third largest producer of poultry products in the State. Berhampur and Sundargarh are two other producers of poultry products.