Enigmatic Deaths of 20 Crows in Bhojpur, Bihar; Officials Exclude Bird Flu
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Synopsis
A mysterious incident in Harhangi village, Bhojpur, Bihar, saw the death of approximately 20 crows, raising concerns among locals. Initial tests ruled out bird flu, but experts remain vigilant. Previous occurrences in Jehanabad district confirmed H5N1 strain, prompting health alerts. Authorities encourage public awareness about unusual bird deaths.
Key Takeaways
- 20 crows found dead in Bhojpur, Bihar.
- No signs of bird flu detected so far.
- Crows buried to prevent contamination.
- Local poultry farms absent within a critical radius.
- Residents advised to stay alert for unusual bird deaths.
Patna, March 19 (NationPress) A wave of fear swept through Harhangi village in Bihar's Bhojpur district as around 20 crows were discovered deceased under unexplained circumstances over the last two days, according to local officials.
Dr. Dinkar Diwakar, the Animal Husbandry and Fisheries Officer of Bhojpur, validated the peculiar event, revealing that the dead birds were located in a teak grove on the village's outskirts.
In an interview with IANS, he stated, “Samples from the deceased crows have been collected and sent to the Regional Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (RDDL) in Kolkata for comprehensive analysis. Preliminary evaluations do not show signs of Avian Influenza (bird flu),” Diwakar added.
To mitigate any potential risk of contamination, the carcasses were securely buried near the village. While officials have dismissed immediate health threats, the unexpected mass death has sparked worries among local inhabitants regarding a potential outbreak.
Notably, there are no poultry farms within a 4-5 km radius of the area in question, which officials assert diminishes the probability of bird flu spread.
Even though there are no apparent signs of avian disease, a specialized team from the Animal Husbandry Department has inspected the site and advised residents to stay alert.
This occurrence follows a similar incident from last month. On February 18, numerous crows were found dead within the police lines in Jehanabad district, triggering concern. Further analysis of those samples confirmed the presence of Avian Influenza, specifically the H5N1 strain, known for its high contagion potential and ability to transmit to humans.
The identification of bird flu in Jehanabad led to immediate responses from the district administration, which issued alerts and precautionary advice to the public. Health and animal husbandry officials have since amplified monitoring efforts and urged residents to report any unusual avian deaths without delay.
