1k birds culled in avianflu outbreak at Maharashtra village

MUMBAI: A health emergency has been declared in Chirner village in Uran, following an outbreak of bird flu in a backyard poultry farm.

Around 1,000 such birds have been culled, said officials. Samples of dead country hen and cock on the farm of a villager were sent for testing at government laboratory in Pune on Jan 14.

The samples were further tested in a laboratory in Bhopal which confirmed the bird flu on Jan 18. Ten rapid response teams and a human health team have been deployed for prevention measures, sanitization, disinfection and also survey purposes.

Taluka health officer-Uran, Dr Rajendra Itkare said, “A team of doctors is stationed at the village to take preventive measures.” The village is located on the outskirts of Karnala Bird Sanctuary.