Indian AI outbreak prompts cull

Over 2,000 chickens have been culled and a large quantity of eggs destroyed in the Indian state of Bihar following an outbreak of avian flu, officials have reported.

The bird flu was initially detected last week in the region of Purnea, situated about 350 km from the state capital. The state government has also alerted neighbouring the districts of Kishanganj, Katihar and Araria and asked concerned officials to take emergency measures where necessary.

Purnea District Magistrate, Manish Verma said that more birds would be culled as a precautionary step. “The administration had issued bird flu alert as a preventive measure. We are fully prepared to deal with an outbreak,” he confirmed.

The district magistrate said 15 teams of officials will monitor the spread of bird flu and ensure that birds and eggs from the district were not sent outside Purnea, which is a major supplier of chicken across Bihar, with fowl and eggs from the district also finding their way to markets in neighbouring West Bengal.

“All entries along the border of the district have been sealed and additional officials have been deployed to prevent traders from sending birds outside,” an official confirmed.