Culling operations were today under way in tribal-dominated Mayurbhanj, the second district in Odisha where bird flu has been detected.

“As per the central government's direction, culling operation began within 3 km radius of Bahanada village under Betanati block of Mayurbhanj district,” said a nodal officer at the fisheries and animal resource development department here.

In the first phase, culling was undertaken in four of the 31 villages in the demarcated area where an estimated 5,000 chicken exist besides ducks and other domestic birds, he said, adding the process is likely to be completed in about four days.

Culling in Mayurbhanj was taken up after over 31,000 fowls were culled in Keranga area of Khurda district following detection of H5N1 virus.

A senior official said all the fowls in Betanati area are indigenous birds, including some rare species, and there is no commercial poultry firm in the area.

Rapid response teams

As many as ten rapid response teams along with the district officials have been engaged in the operation, sources said, adding the culled birds were being buried in pits with adequate safeguards.

Meanwhile, about 1,600 broiler birds were seized and culled near Betanati while being transported in a mini-truck to Ranchi from Cuttack, they said.

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