<p class="title">Even as the Coronavirus or Covid-19 is scaring the people of the district, an outbreak of bird flu is confirmed in the city on Monday. Two birds, a domestic bird and a free ranging bird, reportedly died at Kumbarakoppal on March 12. The reports tested positive for bird flu (H5N1).</p>.<p class="bodytext">Deputy Commissioner Abhiram G Sankar confirmed the bird flu cases and said the samples of the dead birds were sent to Bhopal-based National Institute of High-Security Animal Diseases, where the tests were positive for<br />H5N1 virus.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The authorities of Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services have taken all measures to prevent the spread of bird flu. A 1-km radius of the affected area has been declared infected area and 10-km radius will be under surveillance. The birds in the infected area will be culled immediately, the DC said.</p>.<p class="CrossHead"><strong>No sale of chicken</strong></p>.<p class="bodytext">The sale of poultry is banned for a few days. All chicken stalls under the surveillance area will remain closed till the process of culling, spraying of disinfectants and sanitisation of infected area is completed.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Already, suspecting bird flu, many people had stopped consuming chicken, affecting the poultry industry in the region.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The people need not panic as the infection rarely spreads among humans. As per the World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines, properly cooked poultry meat can be consumed, the DC said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Suitable compensation will be given to the owners of the birds which are culled, said Deputy Director for Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services Dr Ajith Kumar.</p>
<p class="title">Even as the Coronavirus or Covid-19 is scaring the people of the district, an outbreak of bird flu is confirmed in the city on Monday. Two birds, a domestic bird and a free ranging bird, reportedly died at Kumbarakoppal on March 12. The reports tested positive for bird flu (H5N1).</p>.<p class="bodytext">Deputy Commissioner Abhiram G Sankar confirmed the bird flu cases and said the samples of the dead birds were sent to Bhopal-based National Institute of High-Security Animal Diseases, where the tests were positive for<br />H5N1 virus.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The authorities of Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services have taken all measures to prevent the spread of bird flu. A 1-km radius of the affected area has been declared infected area and 10-km radius will be under surveillance. The birds in the infected area will be culled immediately, the DC said.</p>.<p class="CrossHead"><strong>No sale of chicken</strong></p>.<p class="bodytext">The sale of poultry is banned for a few days. All chicken stalls under the surveillance area will remain closed till the process of culling, spraying of disinfectants and sanitisation of infected area is completed.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Already, suspecting bird flu, many people had stopped consuming chicken, affecting the poultry industry in the region.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The people need not panic as the infection rarely spreads among humans. As per the World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines, properly cooked poultry meat can be consumed, the DC said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Suitable compensation will be given to the owners of the birds which are culled, said Deputy Director for Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services Dr Ajith Kumar.</p>