Over, 7,000 birds culled, 2,230 eggs destroyed as bird flu strikes Maharashtra

Animal Husbandry officials have distributed Rs 2,91,963 as compensation to poultry farmers after their birds, eggs and feed were destroyed.

Till February 6, Maharashtra reported seven epicentres of bird flu incidents from the districts of Latur, Nanded, Nagpur,Thane, Raigad and Chandrapur. Other than poultry, bird flu has been reported in tigers, leopards, vultures and crows. Mortality reported due to the flu till date is 693 which includes three tigers and one leopard. The big cats were housed in the Gorewada Rescue Center in Nagpur. Three white backed vultures have died of bird flu at the centre.

In Udgir taluka of Latur district, 71 crows died that had later tested positive for the disease. Caused by the influenza A virus, bird flu is a highly contagious disease, reported mostly in birds. In all the seven epicentres the H1N5 strain of the virus was said to be the cause of the mortality in the animals and birds. Being zoonotic in nature, strict vigilance is kept when such cases are reported. The outbreak in Indian animals and birds is caused when they come in contact with migratory birds. Most cases have been reported from areas near water bodies which were frequented by migratory birds.

Animal husbandry officials said not a single case has been reported from organised poultry firms. Poultry farms have undertaken bio security measures and ensured their birds do not come in contact with any migratory birds so as to prevent any outbreak.