145,000 birds culled after AI outbreak in India
145,000 birds have been culled by order of the Telangana (India) government, after an outbreak of H5N1 Avian Influenza. The site of infection is Srinivas Reddy Poultry Farm’s in the Ranga Reddy district. 300 people were deployed to cull the birds.
Indian newspaper The Hindu reports that animal husbandry authorities got word of infection from the High Security Animal Disease Laboratory (HSADL) in Bhopal on Monday, which confirmed ‘positive strong’ infection in all 11 samples within 24 hours of receiving them.
Feed and eggs being investigated
Surrounding districts and states have been alerted about the outbreak. Feed and eggs from nearby areas – among other things – are being investigated in order to identify the source of the infection.
According to local officials outbreaks in the recent past have been attributed to migratory birds.
Vaccination forces virus to change
Dr. Kulkarni from the High Security Animal Disease Laboratory faulted the poultry industry on various counts for not checking the outbreaks. “The industry does not report incidents of infection efficiently. Contrary to Indian government’s dictum to not vaccinate birds against avian flu, poultry farmers do it. Vaccination forces the virus to change and threaten both birds and humans,” he said.
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