Bird flu scare in Patna: 25 fowls culled, 30 human samples to be sent for testing after avian influenza infection outbreak

Bird flu was verified a few days ago by the Bhopal laboratory

After the confirmation of H5N1 virus-caused bird flu cases in poultry and other dead birds discovered on the premises of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Patna, on February 27, Patna civil surgeon Avinash Kumar Singh said that they would also human sample of the people working in the poultry farms on Monday.

Bird flu was verified a few days ago by the Bhopal laboratory, where the samples of the dead birds were submitted for analysis. As a precaution, the authorities on Saturday ordered the culling of poultry at two farms in the ICAR's surrounding territories. “The authorities concerned culled around 25 birds to prevent the spreading of the infection,” the civil surgeon informed.

"To check the spread of H5N1 infection among humans, if any, we will also conduct human sampling on Monday of people who were engaged in collecting samples or culling of the poultry. And if anyone is found infected, we will have to take serious steps, as infection among humans should be avoided to prevent the spread," Avinash Kumar Singh said.

“There is no need to get panicky. Patna has not been declared as a bird flu-affected district so far, and steps will be taken accordingly once we get reports of samples which are being collected from poultry farms,” he told PTI.

Meanwhile, the Centre has issued an alert on the H5N1 virus or bird flu after nine states, including Jharkhand and Punjab, reported outbreaks since January. In an advisory issued on March 7, the Central Government’s Dairy and Animal Husbandry Department asked all States and Union Territory (UT) administrations to increase surveillance in high-risk areas like poultry farms and bird markets.

"Surveillance must be intensified in high-risk areas, including live bird markets, migratory bird habitats, and dense poultry zones. States are requested to strictly adhere to the National Action Plan for Avian Influenza (Revised 2021), activate rapid response teams, and strengthen veterinary and laboratory capacities," read the advisory to state and UT administrations.