Nashik: Bird Flu Infections Spread in Navapur
Bird flu infections continue to escalate in Navapur, with recent samples from two additional poultry farms testing positive for the virus, prompting authorities to initiate new culling operations and broaden their surveillance efforts beyond previously established containment zones.
Dr. Sanjay Khachane, the district deputy commissioner of the animal husbandry department, stated that the latest findings indicate the virus is spreading beyond earlier containment areas. “The department had conducted surveillance of poultry farms outside the epicentres, involving two distinct sets of farms. Samples from these farms were analyzed in a laboratory, revealing that both farms in different locations tested positive. This constitutes the third set of farms, all located outside the infected regions surrounding the initial farms, suggesting that the infection is still on the rise,” Dr. Khachane noted.
As a result, the two newly affected farms have been designated as new epicentres, and authorities have commenced a re-survey of poultry operations in the vicinity. In an effort to contain the spread of the virus, birds within the defined affected areas will be culled. “Currently, the projected number of birds to be culled is roughly 50,000 across both farms. The survey will determine the precise number of farms and birds involved,” Khachane stated.
In previous outbreaks, culling efforts impacted flocks in nine farms across three epicentres, followed by four farms in a second phase. The emergence of two new epicentres indicates that the infection has spread beyond a 1 km radius from prior affected zones. To date, approximately 390,000 birds have been culled, alongside the destruction of 2.16 million eggs and 499,000 tonnes of poultry feed by Rapid Reaction Teams engaged in containment measures.
Officials announced that the latest culling operations at the newly identified farms will commence on Thursday as part of intensified measures to control the ongoing outbreak. Despite a decline in cases, Navapur remains a crucial source of poultry products, housing around 1.2 million layer birds that produce an estimated 1 million eggs daily.
