Bird flu: Odisha govt opens Control Room

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Government today opened a State Level Control Room for reporting bird flu-related information or any unusual mortality of birds.

State Level Control Room for reporting Bird Flu related information or any unusual mortality of birds occurring in flocks 0671-2414310 (Joint Director), 7978105538 (Dr. Sagarika Behera) & 9437313183 (Dr. Madan Mohan Mahapatra)

— Fisheries & ARD Department (@farddept) January 7, 2021

The government’s move came hours after the report of death of hundreds of chickens at Gobindapur under Begunia block of Khordha district during the last 2-3 days. The reason behind the deaths was yet to be ascertained. The mass death of chickens has left the residents of the locality panic-stricken.

On being informed, local Veterinary Officer reached the spot and took stock of the situation. Samples have been sent to Bhopal for test.

Chief Secretary Suresh Chandra Mohapatra had yesterday reviewed the bird flu scenario in the state. Odisha has not detected any bird flu case so far, the state government said.

However, the state government said the administration is prepared to control any possible bird flu outbreak in the state. Around 11,000 samples from different areas have been tested and no case has been found positive.

The Chief Secretary has directed to intensify surveillance activities. Mohapatra also directed to form a rapid response team at the state and district level for mitigating any possible outbreak.