<p>The avian flu incidence at the Central Poultry Development Organisation (CPDO) at Hesaraghatta could have occurred at least four to five weeks before authorities first reported it, according to villagers. <br /><br /></p>.<p>However, the cause for the highly pathogenic avian Influenza at Hesaraghatta near here is still unidentified.<br /><br />A few poultry farmers around Hesaraghatta say that they had lost their birds to the flu much earlier than it was officially reported. A poultry unit at Tammarasanahalli, Hesaraghatta hobli, near the CPDO farms, had reported bird deaths. <br /><br />Hanumantappa, owner of a farm, told Deccan Herald that at least 300 birds that he and his friends had reared died of the flu two months ago. “When our birds became sick, we consulted a government vet. He visited the place once, but was indifferent to our alerts. We lost all the birds,” he said. <br /><br />The villagers said the doctor blamed them for not taking care of their birds well. “That discouraged us from pursuing the matter,” he said. <br /><br />“We came to know just two days before the outbreak of the epidemic was reported on news channels. Immediately, the CPDO asked us to alert the villagers,” said Govinda Raju, a panchayat member. <br /><br />Aravind Jannu, Principal Secretary, department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, refuted the claim of the villagers. But he promised to look into the matter. He also said that over 19,000 chicken were on Tuesday culled at the CPDO. “As many as 19,154 chicken (out of 19,235 chicken) at CPDO have been culled and disposed of,” he said.<br /><br />Kerala ban<br /><br />Following detection of avian influenza in Karnataka, Kerala has banned movement of poultry from both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.<br /></p>
<p>The avian flu incidence at the Central Poultry Development Organisation (CPDO) at Hesaraghatta could have occurred at least four to five weeks before authorities first reported it, according to villagers. <br /><br /></p>.<p>However, the cause for the highly pathogenic avian Influenza at Hesaraghatta near here is still unidentified.<br /><br />A few poultry farmers around Hesaraghatta say that they had lost their birds to the flu much earlier than it was officially reported. A poultry unit at Tammarasanahalli, Hesaraghatta hobli, near the CPDO farms, had reported bird deaths. <br /><br />Hanumantappa, owner of a farm, told Deccan Herald that at least 300 birds that he and his friends had reared died of the flu two months ago. “When our birds became sick, we consulted a government vet. He visited the place once, but was indifferent to our alerts. We lost all the birds,” he said. <br /><br />The villagers said the doctor blamed them for not taking care of their birds well. “That discouraged us from pursuing the matter,” he said. <br /><br />“We came to know just two days before the outbreak of the epidemic was reported on news channels. Immediately, the CPDO asked us to alert the villagers,” said Govinda Raju, a panchayat member. <br /><br />Aravind Jannu, Principal Secretary, department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, refuted the claim of the villagers. But he promised to look into the matter. He also said that over 19,000 chicken were on Tuesday culled at the CPDO. “As many as 19,154 chicken (out of 19,235 chicken) at CPDO have been culled and disposed of,” he said.<br /><br />Kerala ban<br /><br />Following detection of avian influenza in Karnataka, Kerala has banned movement of poultry from both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.<br /></p>