Mass Chicken Deaths in Namakkal Poultry Farm Spark Bird Flu Fears
In a concerning development, thousands of chickens have perished at a poultry farm in Pattanam Panchayat near Rasipuram, located in Namakkal district, over the past 10 days. This incident has triggered significant alarm among local residents, who fear a potential outbreak of bird flu.
Details of the Poultry Farm Incident
The deaths occurred at a facility known as 'R.V. Feeds', situated in the Periya Yeri Vayakkadu area of Ward 10 within Pattanam Town Panchayat. According to a veterinary doctor from the animal husbandry department, a private company was raising more than 1 lakh chickens at this farm on a contract basis.
For several days, the farm has been experiencing a daily mortality rate of thousands of chickens. The dead birds were collected in large piles and buried using digger machines, a sight that has deeply unsettled the local community.
Local Concerns and Reported Impacts
Witnesses to these events have expressed fears about the possible spread of bird flu, prompting them to report the situation to officials. Additionally, residents have claimed that other livestock, including sheep and dogs, in gardens near the poultry farm have died suddenly, further heightening health concerns.
Locals argue that the mass deaths pose a potential health hazard, as large pits were excavated with earthmovers to bury what they believe to be infected chickens. They have urgently requested that relevant department officials investigate the incident immediately, determine the exact cause of the chickens' deaths, and take appropriate action to prevent any wider outbreak.
Official Response and Planned Actions
In response to these reports, officials from the animal husbandry department have announced that they will visit the farm on Wednesday. They will be accompanied by experts from the poultry disease and diagnostic laboratory to conduct a thorough investigation and ascertain the precise reason behind the unusual mortality rate.
This proactive step aims to address the community's fears and ensure that any potential health risks are mitigated promptly. The situation remains under close observation as authorities work to provide clarity and solutions.
