With the Jagatsinghpur district administration issuing alert over H5N1 avian influenza outbreak in Paradip, a four-member Central health team led by Dr leena Bandyopadhyay started assessment of the ground zero scenario in flu-hit areas on Tuesday.
The authorities have decided to cull 2,000 chickens in Paradip area following detection of the bird-flu.
The Central team comprising Dr lina Bandopadhaya, Dr Shyam Bhattacharya, Dr Amit Kumar and Dr Mitali Mishra accompanied by Paradip Chief Medical Officer Dr PK Dixit and Jagatsinghpur Chief District Veterinary Officer (CDVO) Dr Ramesh Chandra Behera visited the affected area. Paradip Municipality Chairman Basant Kumar Biswal, Executive Officer Dillip Kumar Mohanty and ASP Bishnu Charan Mishra were present.
The team collected 364 samples and sent to laboratory for tests and inquired about the cause of the flu. Paradip Municipality along with nearby 56 villages and Kendrapada district’s 16 villages were declared as bird-flu affected area.
The State Government has imposed a three-month ban on rearing and sale of poultry in Jagatsinghpur and Kendrapada districts, after chickens were found infected with avian flu in Sandhakud and Nuabazar area.
The price of chicken in Jagatsinghpur and Kendrapada districts has gone down and is being sold at Rs 100 per Kg.
