Mass culling in Cuttack after outbreak of bird flu

Panic gripped the residents of Cuttack and nearby areas on Sunday, following an outbreak of bird flu in the city, prompting authorities to start culling of poultry.

Samples collected from a state-run duck breeding centre at Khapuria on the outskirts of the city, have tested positive to the deadly strain of avian influenza, said District Chief Veterinary officer (CDVO) Loknath Behera.

Veterinary teams, after receiving the test reports on Saturday, have undertaken a drive to cull all the poultry birds and destroy the eggs within one km radius of the duck breeding centre.

Blood samples of the people within a 10-km radius of the locality, who have consumed eggs and bird meat over the week, will be collected, officials said.

Reports said that the breeding centre witnessed deaths of at least 10 to 15 birds everyday over the past 10 days, following which samples were sent to several laboratories within the state and outside.

The teams culled over 400 ducks within the breeding centre by Sunday evening. Similarly, huge quantities of chickens and eggs from nearby vending zones have also been destroyed.

The drive will continue for a few more days, district officials said.