Patna : Health authorities have intensified surveillance at the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) campus in Patna following an outbreak of bird flu. On Sunday, a medical team, along with officials from the District Animal Husbandry Office, culled 200 chickens at the Veterinary Campus farm to contain the spread of the virus.
The affected area, including the ICAR campus and a one-kilometre radius around it, has been sanitized as a precautionary measure. The district animal husbandry office has received 200 antiviral tablets, which will be administered to poultry displaying symptoms of avian influenza.
Dr Arun Kumar, the district animal husbandry officer, urged residents to ensure poultry is thoroughly cooked before consumption. He warned that the H5N1 virus, which primarily affects the lungs, can spread from birds to humans, causing symptoms such as high fever, cough, cold, and breathing difficulties.
Scientists and staff at the ICAR campus have been instructed to wear masks as part of containment efforts. Authorities remain on high alert to prevent further transmission.
