Death of 650 chickens sets off bird flu scare in Bihar
Authorities have culled 2000 poultry birds in Munger District to prevent bird flu epidemic. Deaths of peacocks were recorded in Patn zoo on Christmas Day. National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD) has confirmed that the deaths were due to H5N1 bird flu.
In Short
- The government has not banned poultry product as of now
- It has been found that peacock deaths in Patna zoo were due to H5N1 bird flu
- H5N1 is a virulent form of H1N1 virus
Deaths of 650 chickens at a poultry farm in Patna district has started a bird flu scare in Bihar. The chickens died from what is known as H5N1 virus this week.
H5N1 is a virulent form of H1N1 virus.
The authorities have culled more than 2000 poultry birds in Bihar's Munger District to prevent an epidemic. Culling in Munger District is being followed up by a mop-up and disinfection drive. There hasn't been any official announcement to ban poultry products so far. Experts say that a 90-day ban on poultry products is necessary in such areas to prevent fresh infections.
The virus usually spreads after contact with an infected bird or bird faeces.
Reports of dying chickens and other birds from different parts of the state have added to the panic.
Deaths of peacocks in Patna's Sanjay Gandhi Biological Park on Christmas Day were recorded. National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD) in Bhopal has confirmed that avian influenza (bird flu) was the reason behind the deaths. The park has since been closed to visitors.
Customers have started avoiding purchase or consumption of Chicken products. Hotels are removing chicken dishes from the menu and families are preferring mutton and fish delicacies in marriage ceremonies.
The scare is not completely unfounded as currently there are no vaccines available to treat patients if the virus is transmitted to humans from birds.
Chicken traders in Patna are trying hard to convince people that processed (cooked) chicken is safe to consume. The traders are saying that unlike bacteria, a virus cannot infect a dead bird. But this argument has found few takers.
State officials are finding it it hard to inspect all poultry farms as the industry is largely unorganised.