Jharkhand
Bird Flu Outbreak in Bokaro
- 10 Mar 2025
- 2 min read
Why in News?
An official reported a bird flu outbreak in Jharkhand’s Bokaro district, nearly a month after the disease led to the culling of 5,500 birds in Ranchi.
- The Centre confirmed the outbreak, caused by the H5N1 strain of avian influenza, on 7th March 2025 by issuing a letter to Jharkhand's chief secretary.
Key Points
- Origin of the Outbreak:
- Officials traced the outbreak to a government poultry farm in Bokaro’s Sector 12, where around 250 birds had already died.
- Containment Measures:
- On 8th March 2025, the Bokaro administration culled 46 birds and destroyed 506 eggs following directives from the Union Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying.
- Authorities also destroyed 1,717 kg of poultry feed and sanitised the entire farm to prevent further spread.
- Restricted Zones Declared:
- The 1-km radius around the affected farm has been designated as an infected zone, where all birds will be culled.
- A 10-km radius has been declared a surveillance zone, prohibiting the sale and purchase of poultry.
- Authorities have launched an awareness campaign to inform the public.
- Previous Bird Flu Case in Jharkhand:
- Earlier in February 2025, a bird flu outbreak was reported at Birsa Agriculture University (BAU) in Ranchi, leading to the culling of 5,488 birds.
