3,481 turkeys die near Bangalore after outbreak of birdflu

The remaining 784 turkeys have been culled

Six years after it was controlled in the country, the avian influenza (H5N1) has reared its head again. The bird flu has resurfaced at a poultry breeding farm near Bangalore causing death of 3,481 Turkeys, the Karnataka government announced today.

The H5N1 was detected at Central Poultry Development Organisation's (CPDO) Breeding Farm at Hesarghatta on the outskirts of Bangalore during the past one week, the government said in a statement quoting the lab tests from Bhopal-based High Security Animal Disease Lab.

As a precautionary measure, the breeding farm has culled as many as 784 birds and buried them scientifically, Arvind Jannu, principal secretary, department of animal husbandry said, here on Friday.

The government has restrained the hotels, restaurants and shops in and around 10 kms from the breeding farm from selling the poultry meat. The government has also formed 25 Rapid Response Teams to take measures and prevent the spread of the virus. About 68 villages are located in and around 10 kms radius from the farm.

Jannu said there were 4,565 Turkeys at the farm. However, the flu has not affected other birds like chicken, ducks and Emu birds. The government has also restricted entry into the CPDO poultry farm and destroyed the food stocked for the birds at the farm. Area in and around 1 kms radius of the institute has been declared as bird flu affected zone and has been restricted for entry. The prohibition will be in force for a period of one week, he said.

The government has also opened control room at the office of commissioner of animal husbandry and the public has been asked to contact 080-22866397 for help.