Jharkhand Issues Alert as Bird Flu Strikes Ranchi
In a concerning development, the Jharkhand government has raised an alert following the detection of bird flu cases at a government-run poultry farm in Ranchi. Officials promptly reacted, culling approximately 4000 birds, primarily chickens, and destroying a substantial number of eggs after the avian flu outbreak was verified at the Regional Poultry Farm in Hotwar, the state capital.
To prevent the virus’s spread, authorities have implemented a ban on the sale of poultry, birds, and eggs within a one-kilometer radius of the outbreak site. The remaining poultry at the Regional Poultry Farm will undergo a planned culling process and will be disposed of scientifically, as outlined in a government order detailing Standard Operating Procedures.
Officials have been instructed to conduct thorough surveys within a one-kilometer radius of the epicenter to detect any signs of infection and proceed with necessary culling. They have also been tasked with mapping out a 10-kilometer area designated as a surveillance zone.
“All buying and selling activities will remain prohibited until further notice. The district administration team is conducting door-to-door surveys within the affected one-kilometer area, checking for the presence of birds, eggs, and other related materials. Households, businesses, and vendors must cooperate with the survey team and provide accurate information about any poultry or eggs in their possession, ensuring their prompt disposal,” the order emphasizes.
The state Animal Husbandry Department has appealed to the public to report any sightings of dead birds. The Union Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying has advised the state to implement comprehensive measures to contain the potential spread of bird flu.
