Bird Flu Outbreak Confirmed in Patna, Hospitals Put on Alert

Patna: A fresh outbreak of bird flu has been confirmed in Patna, with cases detected on the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) campus. In response, the Civil Surgeon’s Disaster Branch and the District Animal Husbandry Office have initiated containment measures, including the culling and burial of infected chickens. A large number of birds were destroyed on Saturday as part of the containment effort.

The Civil Surgeon’s office has directed hospitals to conduct fever surveys within a three-kilometre radius of the affected area and has issued precautionary advisories. Antiviral medications, including Tamiflu and Oseltamivir, will be distributed among local residents and workers in the affected zone.

The outbreak follows a previous instance on February 27, when bird flu was detected in dead crows near Jehanabad Police Line. Additionally, an inquiry committee of doctors has been formed after the unexplained deaths of several crows in Teghra village, Munger. The exact cause will be determined after laboratory testing.

Hospitals on High Alert

With the confirmation of the H5N1 virus at the ICAR campus, hospitals in Patna have been placed on alert. The Civil Surgeon’s office has issued directives for mandatory screenings of patients presenting with cold, fever, or respiratory issues to monitor potential human infections.

According to the epidemic unit of the Civil Surgeon’s office, chickens at the ICAR poultry farm began dying suddenly from February 27. The facility’s director alerted health officials, and samples were sent to a Bhopal laboratory for analysis. The affected birds were disposed of following influenza safety protocols.

On Saturday, test results from the Bhopal lab confirmed the presence of H5N1. In response, the Civil Surgeon’s office instructed the District Animal Husbandry Department to sensitise all block offices and implement preventive measures.

Authorities Urge Caution

Dr Avinash Kumar Singh, Patna’s civil surgeon, confirmed the outbreak at ICAR but stated that no other cases have been reported so far. “Hospitals and animal husbandry officials have been instructed to remain on high alert. Awareness campaigns, fever surveys, and antiviral distribution are being carried out within a three-kilometre radius of the affected area as a precautionary measure,” he said.