Birds in 2 more poultry farms test positive for Avian Flu | India News
NASHIK: As bird flu infections continue to spread in Navapur, samples from two more poultry farms have tested positive, prompting authorities to restart detection operations and expand surveillance beyond previously identified centres.Dr Sanjay Khachane, district deputy commissioner of animal husbandry, said the latest detection indicates that the infection has spread beyond the earlier containment zone.“The department also conducted off-site surveillance of chicken farms involving two different sets of poultry farms. Samples from them were sent to laboratories, where two farms in different areas tested positive. This is the third set of farms, and both farms are outside the infected area around the previous farms. This means the infection is still increasing,” he said.Authorities have now declared the two farms as new centers and re-surveyed poultry units in the surrounding area. Birds in affected enclosures shall be prevented from spreading.“Currently, around 50,000 birds will be hunted in both farms. The survey will determine the exact number of farms and birds,” Khachane said.In the first outbreak, nine farm birds were killed in three centers. In the second phase, four farms in three centers were affected. In recent instances, two new foci have emerged, indicating that the infection has spread beyond a 1 km radius of the previously affected area.So far, around 3.9 lakh birds have been killed, while 21.6 lakh eggs and 4.99 lakh tonnes of feed have been destroyed by the Rapid Reaction Team engaged in control efforts. Officials said the latest firing operation will begin at newly identified farms on Thursday as part of intensified measures to contain the outbreak.Despite the decline, Navpur remains an important food artery. About 12 lakh layer birds currently produce approximately 10 lakh eggs per day.
