After the outbreak of avian flu (H5N1) at the Centre Poultry Development Organisation (CPDO) following which about 3,500 turkeys, 206 chickens and 17 ducks were culled, the virus is now suspected to have spread out of the institute campus in Hesarghatta.
Villagers from Hesarghatta claimed that about 20 chicken deaths were reported since Sunday evening. The officials from the CPDO and the Department of Animal Husbandry visited the spot and have taken samples of dead birds. “The samples will be sent to the Institute of Animal Health and Veterinary Biologicals in Hebbal,” said an official.
However, Mr Arvind Jannu, Principal Secretary to the Animal Husbandry Department, was not available for the comment. So far, 33,000 birds, including turkeys, chickens, emus and ducks have been culled in the CPDO premises.