Peacock Deaths in Odisha Not Due to Avian Influenza: National Institute of Animal Diseases

A week back carcass of more than 20 peacocks, a crow and a heron were recovered from Madhupur forest in Odisha State.

A week back carcass of more than 20 peacocks, a crow and a heron were recovered from Madhupur forest in Odisha State. The birds were suspected of dying due to avian influenza.

A joint team of Phulnakhara-based Animal Diseases Research Institute (ADRI), Forest Department and Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) visited the spot and nearby villages for ground inspection soon after the incident. The swabs of the birds were sent to National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases for further testing.

US Develops Bird Flu Vaccine That is 100% Effective on Chicken
The vaccine has already proved to be fully effective in protecting chickens from bird flu but is yet to be tested on other birds including turkeys.

‘National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases has ruled out the chances of avian influenza after testing the bird swabs from the suspected peacocks carcass in Odisha. ’

The test results have been released by the Bhopal-based National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases. It has ruled out the chances of avian influenza after testing the swabs sent by OUAT.

“We have received the reports of National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases for the two samples we had sent. There have been no traces of bird flu in the first sample and as per the preliminary investigation; the second sample also is clean from avain influenza,” said Bishnupada Sethi, Commissioner of Animal Resources Development.

“At this point we are not able to rule out poisoning angle. A detailed study report is awaited in this regard. The Veterinary College of OUAT will conduct further tests to find out the exact cause of death,” he added.

Insecurity In Farms and Environmental Factors Blamed For Bird Flu Outbreak In The U.S
Infected and non-infected farms shared equipment, employees moved between then, and vehicles were not disinfected when moving between farms.

Source-Medindia

United Nations Need $20 Million to Battle Bird Flu Outbreaks in West Africa
The money is needed for bolstering weak veterinary systems, upgrading laboratories and for putting FAO specialists in affected and at-risk countries.

Avian Influenza / Bird Flu-Causes-Symptoms-Treatment- FAQs
Bird flu (avian influenza/avian flu) is a disease caused by an influenza virus (H5N1) that primarily affects birds but can infect humans also.