A bird flu outbreak in Navapur, Nandurbar district, has led to a halt in egg supply to Surat and other parts of South Gujarat. Around 10 lakh eggs were supplied daily from Navapur. The supply was stopped after laboratory tests confirmed H1N1 infection in poultry samples, prompting authorities to order culling in the affected zone.
Culling and Surveillance
Officials said around 2.40 lakh chickens have been culled in a one-kilometre radius of the affected farm, while surveillance has been intensified in a two-kilometre radius. As a precaution, samples from poultry farms in Tapi district have also been sent to Bhopal for testing.
Impact on Supply
Arif Balesariya, president of the Nandurbar Poultry Farms Association, stated, "Navapur poultry farms supply only eggs. Around 10 lakh eggs were being sent to Surat every day, but the supply has now stopped." Navapur accounts for 27 of 38 poultry farms in Nandurbar district. This is the third time in two decades that bird flu has affected the area, with earlier outbreaks in 2006 and 2021.
Traders said there is no immediate shortage in Surat, as eggs are being sourced from other centres such as Kheda, Ajmer and Hyderabad. Vendors also said prices remain stable. Bhupendra Patel, an egg vendor, said, "We are getting sufficient stock at regular rates, and there is no impact on prices."
Monitoring by Authorities
Officials of the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) said they are closely monitoring the situation and will take necessary steps according to state government directives.
