1,000 Birds Culled, 14,000 Eggs Destroyed After Bird Flu Detected In Govt Hatchery | Nagpur News

Nagpur: A rapid response team of the animal husbandry department culled around 1,000 poultry birds and scientifically destroyed nearly 14,000 eggs late on Monday night at the Govt Central Hatchery at Seminary Hills, as part of precautionary measures after confirmation of the highly pathogenic H5N1 Avian Influenza (bird flu) virus.The hatchery had also witnessed a bird flu outbreak in 2024. Officials believe the avian influenza may have spread from migratory birds visiting nearby Futala Lake during winters.The National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD), Bhopal, and the Disease Investigation Section, Pune, confirmed that poultry samples from the hatchery tested positive for the H5N1 Avian Influenza (bird flu) virus. Later on Tuesday, collector Vipin Itankar declared a 1km radius around the centre as an infected zone and the surrounding 9km radius as a surveillance zone.The purchase, sale, transport, fairs, and exhibitions related to poultry, eggs, and feed have been banned for 21 days within the infected area. Movement of all types of birds in the affected zone has also been prohibited. Poultry shops and bird markets in the surveillance zone have been ordered to remain closed.The hatchery maintains multiple poultry bird species for distribution to rural farmers as an alternate source of income as well as sale for common people. The officials of Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) health department visited the affected area for surveillance.Animal Husbandry joint commissioner Satish Raju said about 1,250 kg of feed was also discarded. “Rapid Response Teams were formed the same evening and culling, disposal were carried out by creating pits,” he said.Raju said the initial suspicion of infection arose around March 10-11, after which samples were sent for testing. “The confirmation came on Monday. Earlier, there were mixed infection indications, and treatment was being attempted, but once bird flu is confirmed even in one bird, the entire stock must be culled to prevent further spread,” he said.He further stated that health teams have started monitoring people involved in culling operations. “As of now, no respiratory issues have been reported among workers, but sampling will be conducted as a precaution under the One Health approach,” he said.“As per protocol, there will be no activity for at least 21 days at the hatchery, followed by further testing. The farm may remain closed for three months, and full restoration could take around five to six months after clearance from authorities,” he said.Raju said the Central Hatchery functioned as a mother unit supplying chicks to farmers under govt schemes. “We had multiple breeds, including Kaveri, Aseel, and others, used for both egg and meat purposes. This unit played a key role in supporting rural poultry farming,” he said.