The District Administration in Darbhanga has issued a high alert after confirming cases of Bird Flu on Friday. Reports from laboratories in Bhopal and Kolkata confirmed the H5N1 virus in dead crows found near Bhigo Mohalla. A joint team from the Municipal Corporation and Animal Husbandry Department has buried nearly 1,000 crows using scientific methods to stop the infection from spreading further. The administration acted swiftly after receiving the test results late Thursday night.
What Action Has Administration Taken?
District Magistrate Kaushal Kumar has ordered strict surveillance in the area to prevent any risk to humans or other birds. The administration has declared a one-kilometer radius around the affected site in Ward 31 as an infected zone and a nine-kilometer radius as a surveillance zone. Specialized teams are now visiting poultry farms across the district to collect blood samples from chickens for antibody testing. Workers wearing PPE kits used JCB machines to dig deep pits and buried the dead birds with lime and bleaching powder near the Muktidham cremation ground.
Is It Safe to Eat Chicken and Eggs?
The Health Department has issued an advisory for the general public regarding safety measures. Experts state that chicken and eggs are safe to eat if they are cooked properly at temperatures above 70 degrees Celsius. However, the confirmed news has impacted the local market significantly in the last 24 hours. Chicken and egg sales have dropped by 20 to 40 percent in Darbhanga and nearby areas. Wholesale dealers report that prices have fallen by 10 to 20 rupees per kg due to fear among consumers, although officials have asked people not to panic.
