Odisha alerts officials after test confirms bird flu

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Odisha has alerted all its district authorities in view of the detection of a bird flu case in the state, an official said on Monday.

"The government sent samples of around 300 birds, mostly crows and poultry, to the High Security Animal Disease Laboratory in Bhopal, during last fortnight after hundreds of crows died in some parts of the state," Satyabrata Sahu, secretary of the fishery and animal resources department, told the media.

"The laboratory informed us on Sunday that a poultry bird was found positive for bird flu," he said, adding the bird, which was found positive for HSN1 virus belonged to Keranga area of Khordha district.

We have asked the Khordha district administration to monitor health of all the birds, he said. The movement of birds from the affected area has also been stopped, he said.

The government has also asked the collectors of all 30 districts to remain alert and draw samples from birds that have flu-like symptoms.

Besides, officials at the world famous Chilika Lake and Bhitarkanika wildlife sanctuary have been told to keep watch on the migratory birds. Both the places are home to lakhs of winter migratory birds.