LATUR: A devastating bird flu outbreak has gripped Latur district in Maharashtra, resulting in the deaths of approximately 4,200 chicks and 64 crows, alarming both authorities and poultry farmers.
The incident occurred in Dhalegaon village, Ahmedpur tehsil, where thousands of chicks, aged five to six days, were found dead. Samples from the carcasses have been sent to the State Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory in Pune for analysis. Deputy Commissioner for Animal Husbandry, Dr. Shridhar Shinde, confirmed that the poultry farm owner delayed reporting the deaths, allowing the infection to spread.
In a separate case, the National Institute of High-Security Animal Diseases in Bhopal confirmed bird flu as the cause of 64 crow deaths in Udgir city. As a precaution, the district administration has declared a 10-kilometer alert zone around the affected areas. Monitoring of poultry farms, backyard poultries, and chicken shops is underway to prevent further spread of the virus.
Public areas such as gardens and a nearby library in the affected zone have been temporarily closed to minimize the risk. District Collector Varsha Thakur-Ghuge has urged poultry farmers to register their farms and promptly report any unusual bird deaths. Citizens are advised not to handle dead birds and to immediately inform local authorities if they come across any.
Authorities are also emphasizing the importance of following biosecurity measures and avoiding panic. “Timely reporting and strict containment measures are essential to curb the spread of the infection,” said Dr. Shinde.
The bird flu outbreak highlights the need for vigilant monitoring and swift action to prevent large-scale impact on the poultry industry and public health.
Source: Web Team, C6N
