India-The cemetery for the Crows #H5N1 #BIRDFLU

Bird flu: the Mehtab Bagh cemetery for the Crows
 

  Agra, Times reporter: the central and state government, the bird flu (highly Pathojenik Aviens Influenza) has issued an alert about the last days, he is hit in Tajnagri. Mehtab Bagh became a graveyard of the Crows on Saturday. Evening in the park, dead crows found in the hundreds. The death of the Crows is the feared avian flu.The sound of the serious illness before the central government has recently issued an alert. The Durgashankr Mishra, Principal Secretary Urban Development sent a letter to all districts to be instructed to take precautions. But a department comes into action, before crossing the river on Saturday at Mehtab Bagh and its surroundings in the deaths of hundreds of ravens flutter.
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And pidgeons 

Bird flu scare spreads to Ganjam 42 birds of different species dead from H5N1? #H5N1 #BIRDFLU

Bird flu scare spreads to Ganjam as 16 crows found dead

29-Jan-2012 09:56:33 Berhampur (Odisha): With the death of 16 crows at Mudulipalli village in Odisha's Ganjam district in the span of two hours, triggering avian influenza scare in the area today. "We have found 16 dead crows in the village, samples of two were preserved to be sent for testing," Chief District Veterinary Officer (Ganjam), A K Swain said. Unconfirmed reports, however, put the crow death toll to 20 during the period. With the 16 crow deaths, a total of 42 birds of different species were found to be dead in the district. Veterinary officials had earlier detected dead crows, pigeons, kite and pelican in different parts of the district. Besides the samples of the dead crows, the samples of 353 poultry were also sent for testing, CDVO said. The CDVO, however, asserted the poultry sector in the district was so far unaffected with the spread. http://www.odishatoday.com/viewnews.php?news_id=2502

Deshmukh reviews bird flu situation

  | Jan 28, 2012, 01.04AM IST
GONDIA: In view of the increasing number of deaths of crows in Gondia district, guardian minister Anil Deshmukh reviewed the situation of bird flu epidemic in the district, particularly in Tiroda and Sadak Arjuni tehsils during his visit to Gondia on Thursday.
There were reports of increasing number of deaths of crows in these two tehsils in the last fortnight. So Deshmukh called for a meeting of the officers of heath and veterinary department. He then asked the officers to see that the situation does not deteriorate by ensuring that the birds are scientifically disposed off so that the disease does not spread.
The district health officer Dr BK Meshram said that a sufficient stock of tamiflu medicine and masks will be ensured in the district. Officials attending the meeting included the collector and CEO of zilla parishad Dr Yeswant Gedam, additional collector Kamlesh Sonale, RDC NKP Rao, SDO Anant Walaskar, deputy commissioner of animal husbandry Dr Uttam Narnawre, civil surgeon Dr Milind Sonwane, medical officer Dr CR Tembhurne, district epidemics officer Dr Pravin Padwe, medical officer of Sadak Arjuni tehsil Dr Suwarna Hubekar and medical officer of Tiroda tehsil Dr Madhav Kotangale.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Deshmukh-reviews-bird-flu-situation/articleshow/11655755.cms

India-Bird flu alert in north AP #H5N1 #BIRDFLU

Bird flu alert in north AP

January 27, 2012

The district administrations of Srikakulam, Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam have issued a bird flu alert in the wake of avian influenza cases in Odisha.

The administrations of the three coastal districts have also appealed to the public, particularly poultry farmers and non-vegetarians, to take precaution. A senior Animal Husbandry Department officer said they have started making all possible efforts to stop migration of crows, parrots and cranes, besides poultry chicken, from Odisha.

The district administrations have asked the departments concerned, including Animal Husbandry, to report bird deaths. The departments have also been instructed to start culling infected birds, if needed, and bury them in pits with adequate safeguard.

Strict instructions were also issued to poultry farms in the region.

Three rapid response teams from Hyderabad would arrive here by month-end to spread awareness among people, particularly poultry farmers.  http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/cities/hyderabad/bird-flu-alert-north-ap-302

Bird flu scare grips Odisha’s Malkangiri dist #H5N1 #BIRDFLU

Bird flu scare grips Odisha’s Malkangiri dist

By Our correspondent Date : 22-Jan-2012 03:09:06

Malkangiri (Odisha):   With hundreds birds including different fowls, crows, storks, pigeons and mynahs were reportedly dead in many villages under Malkangiri and Korkunda blocks, the bird flu scare sparked in the district.

Meanwhile, due to lack of awareness as to how to deal with such deaths, fear stricken people threw the carcass in the open only to be devoured by stray dogs an other animals.

Paritosh Ray a local leader said the people have been advised not to eat the fowls even as poultry business in the area had come to a standstill.

A member of the state bird-flu team Rajesh Kumar Kuanr, now on a tour of the district, said they were yet to get proper information about such incident. "We will rush to the spot once we get the information from the concerned authorities", he said.  http://odishatoday.com/viewnews.php?news_id=2412

Death of fowls spark off bird flu scare in Odisha #H5N1 #BIRDFLU

 

PTI | 04:01 PM,Jan 22,2012
Malkangiri (Odisha), Jan 22 (PTI) The death of a large number of birds at several places in this tribal district of Odisha has triggered a bird flu scare, especialy with villagers throwing carcasses in the open. Hundreds of dead birds including crows, storks, pigeons and mynahs were seen in many villages under Malkangiri and Korkunda blocks during the last week.
 "We just received a report about death of birds. A team of veterinarians rushed to the area to initiate remedial measures," chief district veterinary officer Rabi Narayan Behera said. Meanwhile, due to lack of awareness, fear stricken people threw carcasses in the open which were then devoured by stray dogs and other animals. "No step has been taken by the district administration to create awareness among the people on dealing with bird carcasses.
 Ignorant villagers throw them here and there, causing health hazards in the area," said village president of MV-20 Subash Banarjee. Another village leader, Paritosh Ray, said that people have been advised not to eat the fowls, even as poultry business in the area came to a standstill. A member of the state bird-flu team Rajesh Kumar Kuanr, now on a tour of the district, said they were yet to get proper information about the incident. "We will rush to the spot once we get the information from the concerned authorities," Kuanr said  http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/death-of-fowls-spark-off-bird-flu-scare-in-odisha/954144.html

Rourkela-Disease killing sparrows too #H5N1 #BIRDFLU

With pigeons and ravens are dying Guraye
Updated on: Sat, 21 Jan 2012 05:35 PM (IST)


With pigeons and ravens are dying Guraye


Rourkela, Times reporter:
After pigeons and ravens in Sundergarh district sparrow falling prey to the disease are unknown. Ispatancl on Saturday at around Aijiac many sparrows were seen in the dead and sick condition. Death of birds due to bird flu has been suggested that the veterinary department has not been confirmed. Sundergarh district Vni, Sundargarh, Rourkela, crows and pigeons in the area Kansbahl etc.'s death on behalf of the district administration has been cautious yes. Jilapal the veterinarians have formed five task forces have been directed to the monitor. In various places of the term dead crow, pigeons and poultry samples sent for testing at Bhubaneswar, which so far have not found evidence of bird flu. The state of other places in the report of the death of birds have bird flu. http://www.jagran.com/odisha/rourkela-8797044.html

Bhubaneswar-Flu prompts bird count #H5N1 #BIRDFLU

BIBHUTI BARIK AND SIBDAS KUNDU

Bhubaneswar/Balasore, Jan. 19: The forest and environment department today conducted another survey of water fowls in Mayurbhanj covering all the 21 water bodies in the district. The count, the second this year after the January 8 survey, was considered necessary in view of the bird flu threat in the district. At least one poultry sample from Bahanada in Betnoti block of the district had been found to have the H5N1 virus earlier. Divisional forest officer Bijay Kumar Panda told The Telegraph: “We wanted to check the health of individual birds, but did not find anything alarming as not a single case was detected with a possible bird flu infection. However, we are yet to compile the numbers. They will be available by tomorrow morning.’’ For the census, four teams have been formed for three of the territorial ranges — Baripada, Karanjia and Rairangpur — headed by the respective DFOs. Experts in the field have been assisting them. “The water bodies will be the focus of the survey. Of the total population, about 90 per cent are migratory birds that visit these water bodies during winter,” he said. Around 25 species of migratory birds have been spotted in the forest area of Mayurbhanj this season. Pratyush Mohapatra, representative of the World Wildlife Fund, and two zoologists from North Odisha University have also been engaged to monitor the programme as experts. “The census has been undertaken under international treaty Ramsar Convention primarily to assess the number of migratory birds visiting the district during winter. We will record their duration of stay, habitat and breeding,’’ said S.M.T. Rehman, DFO of Karanjia. The report would be submitted to the principal chief wildlife warden. In Odisha, only two places — Chilika and Bhitarkanika — are recognised to have migratory birds, he said. “The feedback received, so far, has been encouraging and we will submit the report to the authorities concerned after compilation,” said regional chief conservator of forests Anup Kumar Nayak. Culling The culling of poultry birds within 3km radius of Bahanada, the epicentre of avian flu in Mayurbhanj, progressed for the second consecutive day today. Till this afternoon over 3,500 birds were culled by 10 rapid response teams. While 1,679 birds in nine villages were culled yesterday, teams are still operating in the same villages. According to sources in the animal resources development department, 1,697 layers, 38 broilers, 20 ducks were culled, 203 eggs and 1kg of poultry feed were destroyed today by 1.30pm. The compensation amount was also disbursed to the affected farmers on the spot. The bird flu control room at the fisheries and animal resources development department said that till today 1,273 crows had died across the state. Reports say 117 deaths were added today. While 12 districts were added to the list of suspected bird flu incidents, Jharsuguda became the 13th with the death of more than four crows in the district. The state government sent 394 samples today to the Bhopal-based High Security Animal Disease Laboratory for screening of H5N1.

FAO skeptical of H5N1 attack on crows #H5N1 #BIRDFLU

Front Page > Jharkhand > Story

UN experts sceptical of H5N1 attack on crows - 2-day workshop on influenza threats; animal lab in Kanke on anvil OUR CORRESPONDENT Paul White at the workshop in Ranchi on Thursday. Picture by Hardeep Singh The lethal avian influenza virus H5N1 may not be responsible for crow deaths in Jharkhand, a team from the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations said on Thursday. The observation is in direct contradiction of lab reports from Indian Veterinary Research Institute’s (IVRI) Bareilly centre, which after testing dead crow samples last December issued an H5N1 alert. Paul White, the officer-in-charge of the FAO team currently touring Jharkhand, insisted that if the virus were indeed H5N1, it would have spread to other animals and also human beings. His claim is contrary to a theory of possible mutation that can restrict a viral strain to a particular species. “It is hard to digest that H5N1 is responsible for crow deaths (more than 4,000 scavengers have died across Jharkhand in the past three months). The birds died of attack on their brains, which can be because of some disease in this particular species of scavenger, old age or toxic contaminants. We are studying it all,” White, who is in the state for the third time in quick succession, said. He added special teams were spending time in Jharkhand to understand the local ecology in a better way. The UN organisation on Thursday kicked off a two-day technical workshop for veterinary professionals and experts from four neighbouring states in eastern India — Jharkhand, Odisha, Bihar and Chhattisgarh. The aim is to train them on ways to identify influenza threats and deal with them. Director of animal husbandry department A.G. Bandopadhyay said 35 doctors from Jharkhand, five from Chhattisgarh and 10 from Bihar were attending the event. “Representatives from Odisha could not join us today because of a flu outbreak there,” he added. The training also assumes importance for Jharkhand as the state is soon expected to boast a state-of-the-art diagnostic laboratory for animals. “A BSL (biosafety level) 2 lab is coming up in Kanke, which will be on a par with international facilities. Construction is over and we are in the process of installing high-end equipment,” Shailendra Tiwari, a scientist in the animal husbandry department, said.  http://telegraphindia.com/1120120/jsp/jharkhand/story_15028486.jsp

Odisha: Bird flu scare grips Angul District #H5N1 #BIRDFLU

Thursday, January 19, 2012Report by Sangram Ranjan Nath, Angul: After the flu scare that started from Kerang of Khurda district, the people of the State are panicky when they witness death of crows and other birds in their areas. The death of 40 to 50 crows and a stork in, Angul scared the locals. The dead birds were found at madan mohan pada Angul , Pallahada, and talcher area. Besides, many crows on the branches of an old were found in a drooping state. Though crows and the stork were lying dead on the roads. First the district administration had not taken any steps to alert the people about flu and its effect on health of the people.But now they take it seriously. The presence of the virus has already been confirmed in angul district where presence of H5N1 has been confirmed. All the field functionaries have been intimated to report in case of any eventuality and instructed to collect samples for pathological examination and send the samples directly to ADRI Phulanakhara for pathological test. RRT has been formed and the Team is ready to face any untoward situation in face of the outbreak of Bird flu. Bird flu was confirmed in two samples of dead crow from Keranga in Khurda district and Angul after test at High Security Animal Disease Laboratory (HSADL) in Bhopal, a nodal officer in Fisheries and Animal Resource Development department said. As many as ten rapid response teams along with the district officials have been engaged in the operation, sources said.  http://orissadiary.com/CurrentNews.asp?id=31503

Bird flu fear in N’singhpur as crows die

Bird flu fear in N’singhpur as crows die

Tuesday, 17 January 2012 22:34

PNS | NARASINGHPUR

         

After the flu scare that started from Kerang of Khurda district, the people of the State are panicky when they witness death of crows and other birds in their areas.
The death of six crows and a stork in Narasinghpur scared the locals on Tuesday. The dead birds were found at Dolabedi Chhak, Nimasahi, Kakudia, Fulpada, Charapada and Hata Chhak. Besides, many crows on the branches of an old banyan tree near Club Chhak were found in a drooping state.
Though crows and the stork were lying dead on the roads, the district administration had not taken any steps to alert the people about flu and its effect on health of the people.  http://www.dailypioneer.com/state-editions/bhubaneswar/35860-bird-flu-fear-in-nsinghpur-as-crows-die.html

Bhubaneswar-Bird flu battle intensifies #H5N1 #BIRDFLU

Bird flu battle intensifies Centre orders culling, zoo wary

BIBHUTI BARIK

Migratory birds at Ekamrakanan in Bhubaneswar. Picture by Ashwinee Pati Bhubaneswar, Jan. 17: Mutton has replaced chicken on the menus of carnivores at Nandankanan zoo and the Centre has ordered culling of poultry birds in and around Bahanada village in Mayurbhanj district. The authorities are leaving nothing to chance. While Nandankanan Zoological Park and Chandaka Dampara Sanctuary authorities are taking precautionary measures with the bird flu threat looming large over the city, the Union agriculture ministry this evening ordered the culling of poultry birds within a 3km radius of Bahanada village under Betnoti block in Mayurbhanj district. The culling process will start around 7am tomorrow under the supervision of three senior officials of the fisheries and animal resource development (FARD) department. More than 5,000 poultry birds will be killed. Apart from changing the carnivores’ menu at the city zoo, surveillance has been mounted to check possible signs of sickness among the more than 30,000 migratory birds currently staying at three water bodies at the Chandaka sanctuary. At Nandankanan, cleansing foot baths of potassium permanganate solutions have been placed near the enclosures of animals and birds to prevent contamination. The spraying of anti-bacterial chemicals in the park has begun. The zoo authorities are being extra cautious because more than 10 egrets were found dead near its boundary wall yesterday. Though officials attributed the deaths to possible poisoning or some other disease, local residents alleged that some of these birds had flu-like symptoms. Zoo director Sudarshan Panda said: “A team of zoo employees, under the leadership of a senior veterinary officer, has been deployed to check every bird on the campus. The team is on high alert and any unusual sight or a diseased animal will be reported so that we can ensure quick action. We are coordinating with experts from the FARD department and the College of Veterinary Sciences under the Odisha University of Agriculture Technology.’’ Assistant director Kamal Lochan Purohit said: “Since most of the birds are inside enclosures, there is less chance of them getting infected by the avian influenza H5N1 virus. But to keep the zoo environment clean, we have spread wet gunny bags washed with anti-bacterial chemicals so that there is no question of bacterial or viral contamination.’’ Chandaka Dampara Sanctuary authorities have also mounted surveillance within the sanctuary area as three major water bodies — Ekamrakanan lake, the river bed of Mahanadi and the Dampara ghat are currently playing host to more than 30,000 migratory birds. “Though the number of birds this year is less than last year’s 35,000, the arrival of a central team at Chilika lake to investigate any link of bird flu with the migratory birds has prompted us to start a similar probe. There are more than 8,000 birds only at Ekamrakanan lake. We cannot prevent or stop the spread, but can ensure better surveillance,’’ said divisional forest officer of the sanctuary Akshay Kumar Patnaik. The Chandaka Dampara Sanctuary near the state capital, which has a number of small and large water bodies, attracts many migratory birds. The FARD department has alerted its rapid response teams to step up surveillance near all the 12 major water bodies of the state. FARD sources said while the first H5N1 positive sample from Kerang in Khurda district came from an area that falls in the route of the migratory birds heading to Chilika lake, the second positive sample from Betnoti in Mayurbhanj is also close to a water body. Crow sample positive Highly-placed sources in the Fisheries and Animal Resources Development (FARD) Department said today that a crow sample sent from Keranga in Khurda district has been found to be infected with avian bird flu virus. Though the confirmatory result from the Bhopal-based High Security Animal Disease Laboratory is yet to arrive, the provisional report supports the fact that Keranga was also the epicenter of the crow deaths in the region as reported by The Telegraph on January 16 (Crow death mystery irks Odisha citizens). Though the FARD Department has admitted death of over 1,400 crows in the state, unconfirmed sources put it in thousands. Not only crows, but also other birds like pigeons, cattle egrets and bats are dying across the state. Tara Sankar Pan, central observer for the Keranga region, who is a deputy director in Institute of Animal Health and Veterinary Biologicals, Calcutta, said ``the positive H5N1 strain detected from a crow sample could be a serious indication, but still no one is sure from where the avian influenza virus originated from. Already a similar crow sample has been found positive in Jharkhand two weeks ago.’’  http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120118/jsp/odisha/story_15020280.jsp

Hundreds of crows found dead in Bihar #h5n1 #birdflu

Hundreds of crows found dead in Bihar

PTI | 09:01 PM,Jan 16,2012 Munger, Jan 16 (PTI) Hundreds of crows have been found dead at several places in Bihar's Munger district over the past few days, an official said today. District civil surgeon Mukesh Singh, however, denied that they suffered from bird flu and added that the samples have been sent to Patna for identifying the cause behind the deaths. Measures have been taken to control the situation and check possible spreading of any kind of infection, he said. http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/hundreds-of-crows-found-dead-in-bihar/951526.html

New bird flu strain killed Jharkhand crows’ #h5n1 #BIRDFLU

2.3.2.1..‘New bird flu strain killed Jharkhand crows’

 

Anuradha Mascarenhas : Pune, Tue Jan 17 2012, 03:31 hrs

 

Scientists at the National Institute of Virology (NIV) have found a new strain of bird flu that killed over 500 crows three months ago at Jharkhand.

While confirming that it was avian influenza, Dr A C Mishra, the Director of NIV, said that the strain is different from the one that had infected poultry in Maharashtra some years ago. It is for the first time that it has been found in the country, Mishra said. “We have compared it to the strains from Vietnam, Indonesia and other places in Asia and found similarities with the Vietnam strain,” added Mishra.
The NIV had received samples that included four crows from among those that had died in several areas of Jharkhand, including Jamshedpur, Bokaro and Hazaribagh. The process of characterisation of the virus is underway and it is a different strain of the avian influenza virus, NIV scientists said.

The strain belongs to Clade 2.3.2.1 while the H5N1 strain that was reported in the country in 2006 belonged to Clade 2.2. Avian influenza hits mostly birds but its H5N1 strain has killed 234 people since 2003 when it began in Asia, according to the World Health Organisation. In India, bird flu was first reported in 2006 from Nawapur village of Nandurbar district, Maharashtra.

“We cannot say if this strain is the reason for outbreak of bird flu in Orissa,” Mishra said. However, there are no recorded cases of transmission of the virus from birds to humans, Mishra assured. “Since the strain is a new form of bird flu, we have to be very careful,” the NIV director said, adding, “once the virus is characterised and gene sequencing done we will be able to gauge the impact on bird health and then label as highly pathogenic or low pathogenic”.  http://www.indianexpress.com/news/-New-bird-flu-strain-killed-Jharkhand-crows-/900479/

They feast on dead crows for health #H5N1 #BIRDFLU

January 16, 2012 ] ...

They feast on dead crows for health ROURKELA: Even as the scare of Ranikhet Disease (RD) gained ground with death of crows being reported from Bonai and Sundargarh on Wednesday, oblivious of the health risks, a fringe population in Rourkela city are merrily feasting on dead crows, both for the palate and to get rid of some ailments. A daily-wage earner Dayal Badaik of Azad Basti at Sector 20 recently found three dead crows and took them home for a family feast. Unaware of the RD virus causing widespread death of crows, Badaik on Thursday said he found the crows floundering on the ground and soon they died. Badaik said the meat had a gamy smell and flavour. For a sweeper boy of Sector 18 slum, the crow meat did what he never thought was possible. He father has given up drinking. It has been a fortnight since he clandestinely made his alcoholic father eat lever and bile of crow. Regular crow meat eaters believe it has healing properties and cures multiple ailments including asthma. It is also known to enhance longevity.  Mysterious death of crows has been unusually high for the past fortnight around the Rourkela House localities, but the incident remained unnoticed for lack of awareness. A garbage lifter of an NGO, Dilip Bag said he has disposed of 30 to 40 dead crows. Chief District Veterinary Officer (CDVO) NB Dasmohaptra said on Thursday 10 more crows died at Bonai and Sundargarh of RD virus, adding he has no information of crow deaths in Rourkela. He said around 1.5 lakh RD vaccinations were injected to poultry population across the district which would additionally shield the poultry fowls from the avian influenza. Sundargarh District Collector Rupa Roshan Sahu said the Animal Husbandry officials have been instructed to bury the dead crows, adding those unknowingly consuming crow meat would be sensitised over possible health risks.  http://welcomeorissa.com/They+feast+on+dead+crows+for+health-orissa_news-35423-16-01-2012.html

Odisha: Bird Flue Horror, ban on cock importing from neighboring state #H5N1 #BIRDFLU

Odisha: Bird Flue Horror, ban on cock importing from neighboring state

Sunday, January 15, 2012

Report by Prafull Sharma; Jharsuguda: Horror over bird flue outbreak has begun in the district. In view of this a District Level Officials Meeting held in the lobby of collectorate office. In meeting district’s chief veterinary doctor Affruddin Ahmed said that be care that cock is not came to our district from neighboring state of Chhattisgarh. For this at Gopalpur border post of the district special monitoring has been started & the cock to be invoked from Chhattisgarh has been banned.
By seeing the dead crow in the premises of Government Bungalow of Deputy Collector Pradip Barik in front of Municipal Office in Jharsuguda, Deputy Collector Barik has reported to CDVO A. Ahmed Khan. Later on veterinary doctor and team came to investigation. After the outbreak of bird flue in the district to review the growing horror in people a meeting was held in Collectorate office under the chairmanship of Collector Guru Prasad Mishra.

In order to take immune system against the bird flue be taken stated on all types of steps has been reviewed in detail. As well as it has been directed to start action immediately on the same. Chicken farms are also being monitoring. In meeting the needed on the vaccine, spraying of medicines etc was to be decided.  http://www.orissadiary.com/CurrentNews.asp?id=31422

Collection of Dead Crows # H5N1 #BIRDFLU

Collection of Dead Crows by Veterinary Officials at Unit-3, Bhubaneswar January 14, 2012http://www.odisha360.com/gab_gallery/crows-die-in-flu-at-unit-3-bhubaneswar/

BHUBANESWAR-Crows found dead in capital #H5N1 #BIRDFLU

Crows found dead in capital

BHUBANESWAR: The bird flu scare spread to the state capital as scores of crows were found dead in different parts of the city, even as culling of poultry fowls continued at Keranga in Khurda district for the second consecutive day on Friday.

Locals of Unit-III area here have reported death of around 70 to 80 crows in the locality, forcing authorities to collect samples for testing. "Like elsewhere, the samples collected from Bhubaneswar will also be sent to the Indian Veterinary Research Institute's High Security Animal Disease Laboratory at Bhopal," a senior officer of fisheries and animal resources development department said.
"We are really worried as over the past 2 to 3 days we are witnessing death of crows. In the initial days less than 10 crows were found dead, but on Friday it was around 60," said B C Jena, a resident of Unit-III.
Official sources said secretary, fisheries and animal resources development, Satyabrata Sahu, has already discussed about crow deaths with officers of Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation and asked for increased surveillance.
Around 35 km away in Keranga, 10 rapid response teams, comprising veterinarians and other officers, continued culling of hens and ducks within three km of the radius of the epicentre of bird flu. Till Friday evening, 11,260 birds had been killed, nodal officer of fisheries and animal resources development department Gopal Tripathy said. As many as 6,862 eggs and 57 kg of poultry feed have also been destroyed since the exercise begun on Thursday, Tripathy said.
Official sources said the government has so far not received any report from the Bhopal laboratory confirming bird flu in any other part of Odisha other than Keranga.
Deaths of crows and pigeons were also reported from Jaleswar in Balasore district. Crow deaths were also recorded in parts of Kendrapada district. Sources said since December last week bird deaths have been reported from 12 districts.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhubaneswar/Crows-found-dead-in-capital/articleshow/11481454.cms

Odisha continues culling of fowls, crow deaths #H5N1 #BIRDFLU

Last Updated: Friday, January 13, 2012

Bhubaneswar: Bird flu scare continued to grip Odisha as more crow deaths were reported even as the state government continued its culling operation at Keranga area in Khurda district for the second consecutive day.

"As many as 11,260 fowls were eliminated on Friday in Keranga area. Besides, chicken from a particular private poultry firm at Keranga, fowls of small hatcheries were culled today," said Gopal Tripathy, state government's nodal officer for culling.

While two teams comprising live stock inspectors, veterinary doctors had been undertaking culling at the private firms having about 28,000 poultry, local people today voluntarily offered their fowls, Tripathy said.

The culling operation started yesterday after the state government was directed by the Centre to kill the infected fowls following detection of H5N1 virus in some chicken in Keranga area.

The culling process was being carried in 19 villages including Keranga with adequate compensation for affected poultry farmers.

While culling was on in 3 km radius of Keranga, surveillance work was undertaken in villages within its ten km radius to detect any possible outbreak of avian influenza, official sources said.

Meanwhile, Tripathy said that more cases of crow deaths including from the state capital, was received at the fisheries and animal resource development department. Death of about 1263 crows was received from 12 districts, he said.

Though certain serum samples of crows were sent to laboratory for examination, the state government was yet to receive any confirmation regarding cause of the crow deaths, Tripathy said.  http://zeenews.india.com/news/orissa/odisha-continues-culling-of-fowls-crow-deaths_752482.html

India-State to cull 35k birds in Keranga #H5N1 #BIRDFLU

State to cull 35k birds in Keranga

 TNN | Jan 11, 2012, 11.03PM
BHUBANESWAR: Around 35,000 poultry birds would soon be culled in Keranga area of Khurda district. The Odisha government decided this on Wednesday evening following confirmation of existence of bird flu virus in the area three days ago.

Chief minister Naveen Patnaik gave his nod in favour of culling of hens and ducks in 19 villages within three km radius of the epicentre of the dreaded disease basing upon an advisory from the Centre, official sources said. Though the government had resorted to culling in 2005, 2006 and 2008 in different parts of the state, bird flu was detected in the state for the first time in Keranga.

"We have ordered the Khurda district administration to begin culling with immediate effect," secretary, fisheries and animal resources development, Satyabrata Sahu said. "We have estimated that around 35,000 birds would be eliminated," he told TOI. He said rapid response teams have been formed and surveillance increased to overcome the challenges posed by bird flu.

Official sources said domesticated fowls as well as those living in a big poultry farm in Keranga would be killed. The government would compensate the bird owners at the following rates: Rs 70 for each layer bird (big size) and Rs 30 for each layer bird (small); Rs 60 for each broiler bird (big) and Rs 30 for each broiler bird (small); Rs 75 for each duck (big) and Rs 35 for duck (small); Rs two each for an egg and Rs six for each kg for bird feed.

The government also stopped movement of poultry products into Keranga, thus depriving schoolchildren of eggs under the Midday Meal Scheme there. Official sources said around 300 birds were reported dead in Keranga, spreading panic in the area. While the High Security Animal Disease Laboratory of Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bhopal, confirmed a sample each of hen and duck with H5N1 virus which causes bird flu or avian influenza on Sunday, the laboratory confirmed the virus in a crow sample on Wednesday, official sources added, adding, 562 samples of crows and poultry birds from across the state have been sent to Bhopal for tests.

With crows in hundreds being found dead in different parts of Odisha, including Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj districts, experts are at a loss on how to cope with the situation. Crows being wild birds can neither be vaccinated nor killed, but are capable of spreading the disease, an expert pointed out.

Agitated and panicked over the detection of bird flu, some people in Keranga damaged a part of a big farm housing around 20,000 poultry birds and also took away some fowls, police said.  http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhubaneswar/State-to-cull-35k-birds-in-Keranga/articleshow/11452512.cms