A state and district-level rapid response team has been formed.
Citizens need not panic.
On January 30, 2025, information was received about the sudden death of a large number of birds at the government poultry farm in Raigarh. A team of veterinary doctors from the state level was formed to investigate. Samples were collected by the team and sent to the National High Security Animal Disease Institute, Anandnagar, Bhopal, and the Weston Region Disease Diagnostic Laboratory for testing. The National High Security Animal Disease Institute, Bhopal, confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 (bird flu) in the poultry bird carcass samples from the government poultry farm, Raigarh, Chhattisgarh on January 31, 2025.
Bird flu is a deadly infectious disease affecting birds. In India, there have been no reported cases of transmission of the bird flu virus from one person to another. However, everyone needs to remain vigilant about its symptoms and transmission risks. Bird flu is a “scheduled disease” under the Prevention and Control of Infectious and Contagious Diseases in Animals Act, 2009. Action is taken according to the Avian Influenza Action Plan Revised 2021 of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India.
Following the outbreak, state and district-level rapid response teams were formed. The district administration carried out the regulated destruction of poultry birds, eggs, poultry feed, and other materials at the government poultry farm. A 1 km radius around the government poultry farm has been declared an infected zone, and the destruction of poultry and eggs is underway. Compensation will be provided to affected poultry farmers/individuals at rates determined by the Government of India. An area of 1-10 km around the farm has been declared a surveillance zone. Poultry and egg shops have been ordered to remain closed, and serosurveillance is being conducted. A control room has been set up at the state level, and all relevant departments have been informed and requested to take action as per guidelines. All Joint/Deputy Directors of Animal Husbandry Services and poultry farm managers have been instructed to follow all biosecurity guidelines, remain vigilant, and submit daily reports to the state-level control room.
The public is appealed not to panic about the bird flu outbreak at the government poultry farm in Raigarh. All necessary actions have been taken in the affected area, and there are no reports of a large number of poultry bird deaths in any other area of the state. Poultry products are nutritious and play a vital role in combating malnutrition. Therefore, with cleanliness and caution, cooked poultry products can be consumed.