Patna's Poultry Crisis: 6,000 Chickens Culled Due to Bird Flu
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Patna, Feb 27 (NationPress) Approximately 6,000 chickens were culled in Patna after the Animal Resource Department detected an outbreak of avian influenza among the poultry.
Authorities reported that the infected birds were located at the Poultry Research and Training Centre, which is under the management of Bihar Animal Sciences University in Kaushal Nagar, Chitkohra, close to the airport area.
Following confirmation from laboratory tests, the Dairy, Fisheries and Animal Resources Department mandated the immediate culling and burial of all chickens present at the site.
The surrounding area has been thoroughly sanitised, and residents have been urged to adhere to strict precautionary measures.
As directed by the Patna District Magistrate, the transportation of chickens and roosters in and out of the municipal boundaries has been completely prohibited.
The district administration has identified a 1-kilometer radius around the infected poultry farm as an infection zone and a 9-kilometer radius as a surveillance zone.
Any entry of eggs, poultry birds, and feed into these regions is banned unless accompanied by valid sanitisation certification.
Given the high population density around the Chitkohra bridge near the airport, surveillance efforts have been heightened.
A dedicated check-post has been established in Kaushal Nagar, with personnel from Shastri Nagar and the bypass police stations assigned for continuous monitoring.
Access to the poultry farm area without wearing masks is strictly forbidden.
As a precautionary measure, the management of Sanjay Gandhi Jaivik Udyan has enhanced preventive protocols.
Visitors are permitted to observe peacocks and other birds only from a minimum distance of eight feet. Insecticide spraying is being conducted around bird enclosures, chemical disinfectants are being applied at entry points, and staff members have been provided with masks.
Zoo officials confirmed that no instances of bird flu have been reported within the zoo premises as of now.
As part of containment strategies, poultry farming has been suspended for two months in the affected and nearby areas.
The movement of individuals near the infection zone has also been restricted.