Bhubaneswar: Following confirmation of a bird flu outbreak, large-scale chicken culling began in Jankia area of Khordha district.

The operation was initiated after blood samples sent to a veterinary laboratory in Bhopal tested positive for avian influenza. Acting on the report, over 50 veterinarians and officials were deployed to the affected region.

According to official sources, 4,507 chickens were culled and 1,600 kg of poultry feed was destroyed at a poultry farm in the Mundamba area of Jankia. The carcasses and contaminated fodder were buried in a large pit, adhering to safety protocols.

The outbreak was suspected after a sudden and unexplained death of chickens was reported from several poultry farms in Jankia and nearby areas. In response, the district administration had sent samples for testing, which confirmed the presence of the virus.

Khordha District Chief Veterinarian Rabinarayan Behera officially confirmed the presence of bird flu in the affected poultry farms in Jankia.

Authorities said the culling and sanitisation operations will continue for the next few days to contain the spread of the virus and ensure public safety.