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6,000 Chickens Culled in Patna After Bird Flu Outbreak at Research Centre

Authorities in Patna have culled approximately 6,000 chickens at a university-operated poultry research centre following a confirmed outbreak of avian influenza. The district administration has established a 1-kilometer infection zone and a larger 9-kilometer surveillance zone around the affected farm, banning the movement of poultry and related products. Strict measures include check-posts, mandatory masks near the facility, and a two-month ban on poultry farming in the vicinity. Nearby zoological gardens have also heightened precautions, enforcing visitor distance limits and sanitization, though no cases have been reported there.

Key Points: Bird Flu Outbreak in Patna: 6,000 Chickens Culled

  • 6000 chickens culled at Bihar research centre
  • 1-km infection & 9-km surveillance zones declared
  • Poultry movement banned in Patna
  • Zoo enforces visitor distance rules
2 min read

Bird flu: 6,000 chickens culled in Patna

Authorities cull 6000 chickens in Patna after avian flu detection. Movement bans and surveillance zones enforced. Learn about the containment measures.

Bird flu: 6,000 chickens culled in Patna
"The movement of chickens and roosters into and out of the municipal limits has been completely banned. - Patna District Administration"

Patna, Feb 27

Around 6,000 chickens were culled in Patna after the Animal Resource Department found the poultry birds infected with avian influenza.

Officials said the infected birds were found at the Poultry Research and Training Centre operated by Bihar Animal Sciences University in Kaushal Nagar, Chitkohra, near the airport area.

Following laboratory confirmation, the Dairy, Fisheries and Animal Resources Department ordered immediate culling and burial of all chickens at the facility.

The entire locality has since been sanitised, and residents have been advised to follow strict precautionary measures.

On the instructions of the Patna District Magistrate, the movement of chickens and roosters into and out of the municipal limits has been completely banned.

The district administration has declared a 1-kilometer radius around the affected poultry farm as an infection zone and a 9-kilometer radius as a surveillance zone.

Entry of eggs, poultry birds and feed into these areas has been prohibited unless accompanied by proper sanitisation certification.

Given the dense population around the Chitkohra bridge near the airport, surveillance has been intensified.

A check-post has been established in Kaushal Nagar, with personnel from Shastri Nagar and bypass police stations deployed for round-the-clock monitoring.

Entry into the poultry farm area without masks has been strictly prohibited.

As a precaution, the administration of Sanjay Gandhi Jaivik Udyan has strengthened preventive arrangements.

Visitors are allowed to view peacocks and other birds only from a minimum distance of eight feet. Insecticide spraying is being carried out around bird enclosures, chemical disinfectants are being used at entry gates, and staff members have been provided masks.

Zoo authorities confirmed that no case of bird flu has been reported within the premises so far.

As part of containment measures, poultry farming has been banned for two months in the affected and surrounding areas.

Movement of people near the infection zone has also been restricted.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
So sad for the chickens, but public health comes first. The measures at the zoo seem sensible. We need to be extra careful with eggs and chicken from local markets now. Better to avoid for a few weeks.
A
Aman W
Good to see a proactive response. The 1km infection zone and 9km surveillance zone is a standard protocol. My only concern is whether the ban on poultry farming for 2 months is enough? The virus can linger.
S
Sarah B
I appreciate the detailed containment steps mentioned. The check-post and 24/7 monitoring are crucial. However, I hope the messaging about precautions is reaching everyone, especially in dense areas like near Chitkohra bridge.
V
Vikram M
This will hit small poultry vendors hard. The administration must ensure support for them during this two-month ban. Also, "proper sanitisation certification" for feed entry is good, but who will monitor it on the ground?
K
Karthik V
The article says it was found at a Research Centre. Isn't that ironic? They should have the highest biosecurity. This points to a possible lapse in protocols there. A respectful criticism: we need to audit these facilities regularly.
N
Nisha Z
Stay safe, Patna! Follow the advisories.

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