Bird flu in Chhattisgarh: 45 wild mynas die in Bijapur, samples to be tested

The carcasses of the birds were found on Monday and Tuesday near a CRPF camp in Naimad area in the Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh.

Published on: Jan 20, 2021, 13:57:22 IST

By Ritesh Mishra | Edited by Abhinav Sahay, Raipur

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Amid the bird flu scare, at least 45 mynas were found dead near a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) camp in Bijapur district of Bastar region in Chhattisgarh, officials said on Wednesday.

With a ballerina’s poise and grace, the deformed myna braves life’s challenges. PHOTO: AMI PRABAL

The officials said that the samples taken from five mynas have been sent for avian influenza tests and all precautions were being taken.

“There is a CRPF camp in Naimad area where the carcasses of the birds were found on Monday and Tuesday. We rushed to the spot and sent five dead birds for tests on Tuesday evening,” said AP Dohare, deputy director of Veterinary Services.

He further said that while no signs of bird flu have been found in the domestic birds in the district, precautions are being taken.

“After the death of these wild birds, we have formed a rapid action team and are sensitising residents to report any death of wild birds in the district,” said Dohre.

The officer further said that the carcasses of birds found on Monday and Tuesday have been buried as per the protocol and disinfectant has been sprayed in the area.

Till now, Bijapur has not reported a bird flu case but the transportation of poultry birds and products to the district has been stopped.

In Chhattisgarh, the first confirmed case of bird flu was reported in the Balod district on January 14, when over 150 chickens were found dead at GS Poultry Farm in Gidhali village tested positive for the disease.

The Bird flu has been reported in two more districts, Bastar and Dantewada, under the Bastar region, a thickly forested area.

A crow and a pigeon were found dead in Jagdalpur, the headquarters of Bastar district and a crow was found dead in Bacheli town of Dantewada. However, the infection has not been reported in poultry birds in the two districts so far.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ritesh Mishra
Ritesh Mishra is the State Correspondent for Chhattisgarh with Hindustan Times. He reports on Maoism, internal security, politics, mining, governance, and major developments shaping the state. Based in Raipur, he has covered Chhattisgarh since 2016, reporting extensively from the Bastar region and other conflict-affected areas. With nearly two decades of experience in journalism, Ritesh has built a reputation for ground reporting from some of India's most challenging terrains. His coverage spans Left-Wing Extremism, counter-insurgency operations, elections, tribal affairs, environmental issues, infrastructure, mining, and socio-economic developments. He has reported on major security operations, policy initiatives, wildlife crime, and the changing dynamics of conflict and development in Central India. Before moving to Chhattisgarh, Ritesh spent eight years reporting from Madhya Pradesh, covering politics, administration, crime, development, and social issues. Throughout his career, he has reported on various forms of extremism in Central India, combining field reporting with in-depth analysis to produce accurate, balanced, and impactful journalism. Prior to joining Hindustan Times, Ritesh worked with The Pioneer and The Free Press Journal, where he covered a wide range of beats and honed his skills in political, investigative, and field reporting. His reporting is marked by exclusive stories, extensive fieldwork, and a commitment to factual, on-the-ground journalism that brings complex issues to a wider audience.Read More

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