In the wake of H5N1 avian influenza, also called bird flu, detected in Paradip and Jagatsinghpur, panic spread in Kendrapada and Balugaon (Khordha district) following death of several crows.
As part of precautionary measures to prevent the H5N1 virus, the Kendrapada district administration and the Balugaon Wildlife Division have collected samples, especially from Bhitarkanika and Chilika, where lakhs of migratory birds are still present.
Around 30 samples were collected from the Bhitarkanika National Park after three crows were found dead on Tuesday evening.
A team led by Kendrapada Chief District Veterinary Officer Dr Santanu Takri visited the park and collected samples of country and migratory birds. Also, samples of chickens and ducks and pond water from Dangamal and Khamarsahi villages in the district were collected. The samples have been sent to the Animal Disease & Research Institute at Phulnakhara for examining the bird flu virus.
However, Range Officer Subrat Kumar Patra denied a panic situation in Bhitarkanika due to bird flu.
Similarly, swab and blood samples of birds ad been collected from the Nalbana bird sanctuary in Chilkia on February 24 and sent to the Phulnakhara lab for test.
The samples will also be sent to research centres at Kolkata and Bhopal from Phulnakhara for further test.
However, the bird flu virus is not detected so far in the region, said veterinary officer Dr Debendra Kumar Soilanki. Initiative would be taken immediately if the samples is tested positive for bird flu virus, he added.