Bird flu: Chickballapur district administration undertakes mass culling in Varadahalli village

The Chickballapur district administration on Friday conducted mass culling of birds in the Varadahalli village limits after bird flu infection was confirmed in poultry.

The Chickballapur district administration on Friday conducted mass culling of birds in the Varadahalli village limits after bird flu infection was confirmed in poultry.

Deputy Commissioner P.N. Ravindra appealed to the people to follow the Standard Operating Procedures of the Health Department without panicking to prevent the spread of the infection.

Speaking at a press conference, Mr. Ravindra said the district administration has taken several steps to prevent the disease from spreading and that there was no need to panic. “Since bird flu has already been detected and confirmed in chickens that died in Varadahalli, restrictions have been imposed on the transport of chickens within a 10 km radius of the village. In addition, a blockade has been imposed to prevent chickens from being brought to the villages around Varadahalli from outside,” he said.

The poultry in Varadahalli is being culled as per the government guidelines. So far, no cases of cough, cold, or fever have been reported among the people of the village. However, he said, various departments, including the Health Department, are monitoring the health of each family in the village. The Panchayat Development Officer (PDO) has been directed to maintain cleanliness and disease control measures were under way.

Mr. Ravindra further said that since no problem had been reported in the rest of the district, the public can cook healthy chicken well and eat it as usual, keeping cleanliness in mind. “The district administration has taken preventive measures to control the disease. We are also taking steps to ensure that samples of chickens brought into the district from outside via vehicles are tested,” he added.