6,000 birds culled in Bihar after bird flu threat

The Bihar government has asked the officials of the Animal Husbandry Department (AHD) to take all preventive measures and keep a close tab on chickens in those areas where bird flu H5N1 type virus had been detected.

In the last few days, around 6,000 chickens have been culled and hundreds of eggs destroyed in the Seemanchal area comprising Purnia, Katihar and Kishanganj.
The civil surgeon in Patna too has asked all medical officers of the primary health centres and veterinarians to keep a close watch on poultry farms in their area and report to him if any bird flu case is detected.

Experts argue that although the incidents of the H5N1 virus strain spreading from one bird to another are common, the infection can rarely spread to human beings. “But the transition of H5N1 virus strain from bird to human being cannot be ruled out completely. And if that happens, the person can succumb to avian flu,” said an expert medical practitioner.

Meanwhile, the zoo officials at the Sanjay Gandhi Biological Park in Patna have intensified the sanitation work on the premises.

“As of now, there is no immediate threat to the zoo animals and birds as they are not in direct contact with outside animals and visitors. ,” said the director of the zoo, Abhay Kumar.