Nashik: Samples from three additional poultry farms in Navapur taluka of Nandurbar district have tested positive for avian influenza, bringing the total number of infected farms to six.
Authorities Expand Containment Zone
Dr Sanjay Khachane, district deputy commissioner of the animal husbandry department, stated, 'The administration has extended the perimeter of the epicentre in close vicinity of each other. All birds within a one-kilometer radius of each epicentre will be culled, while eggs and feed will be destroyed.'
Dr Milind Bhanage, assistant commissioner of the Regional Disease Investigating Laboratory in Nashik, explained, 'Samples of dead birds were collected during surveillance activities carried out beyond one kilometer from the epicentres and sent to the diagnostic laboratory in Pune, then forwarded to the National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases. The samples tested positive for the virus.'
Rapid Response Teams Intensify Efforts
The increase in infected farms has added to the workload of 22 rapid response teams operating in the field. So far, they have culled 2.5 lakh birds, destroyed 9.3 lakh eggs, and burnt 2.9 tonnes of feed.
Dr Bhanage noted, 'We had completed culling birds in the first three farms. The task now involves culling all types of birds. The primary number of birds from the three newly infected farms, identified on Thursday, is 1.5 lakh. It will take four days to take necessary action.'
Legal Measures Under Animal Disease Act
District collector Mittali Sethi has declared new epicentres under the Prevention and Control of Contagious and Infectious Diseases in Animals Act 2009. This legislation empowers officials to ensure every bird in the vicinity is culled to contain the disease spread.
Farms in buffer zones remain under surveillance, and owners have been instructed to enhance biosecurity measures to protect their birds.
