Highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1, India (OIE, October 26 2012): 1 New Poultry Outbreak, Karnataka

[Giuseppe Michieli]

[Source: OIE, full PDF document: (LINK). Edited.]


Highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1, India


Information received on 26/10/2012 from Mr Gokul Chandra Pati, Secretary, Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture, New Delhi, India

• Summary
  • Report type Immediate notification
  • Date of start of the event 12/10/2012
  • Date of pre-confirmation of the event 22/10/2012
  • Report date 26/10/2012
  • Date submitted to OIE 26/10/2012
  • Reason for notification First occurrence of a listed disease
  • Manifestation of disease Clinical disease
  • Causal agent Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus
  • Serotype H5N1
  • Nature of diagnosis Clinical, Laboratory (basic), Laboratory (advanced)
  • This event pertains to a defined zone within the country
• New outbreaks
  • Summary of outbreaks: Total outbreaks: 1
    • Outbreak Location - KARNATAKA ( Hessarghatta, Turkey Unit, Central Poultry Development Organization, Bangalore Urban )
      • Total animals affected: Species - Susceptible - Cases - Deaths - Destroyed - Slaughtered
        • Birds - 4265 - 3481 - 3481 - 784 - 0
    • Outbreak statistics: Species - Apparent morbidity rate - Apparent mortality rate - Apparent case fatality rate - Proportion susceptible animals lost*
      • Birds - 81.62% - 81.62% - 100.00% - 100.00%
      • * Removed from the susceptible population through death, destruction and/or slaughter;
• Epidemiology
  • Source of the outbreak(s) or origin of infection
    • Unknown or inconclusive
• Epidemiological comments
  • Epidemiological investigation is ongoing.
  • An intensive surveillance campaign has been launched in 10 km radius zone.
  • Restocking will be applied in accordance with a specified protocol.
• Control measures
  • Measures applied
    • Stamping out
    • Quarantine
    • Movement control inside the country
    • Screening
    • No vaccination
    • No treatment of affected animals
  • Measures to be applied
    • Disinfection of infected premises/establishment(s)
• Diagnostic test results
  • Laboratory name and type: High Security Animal Disease Laboratory, Bhopal ( National laboratory )
    • Tests and results: Species - Test - Test date - Result
      • Birds - real-time reverse transcriptase/polymerase chain reaction (RRT-PCR) - 22/10/2012 - Positive
      • Birds - reverse transcription - polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) - 22/10/2012 - Positive
      • Birds - virus isolation - 22/10/2012 - Positive
• Future Reporting
  • The event is continuing. Weekly follow-up reports will be submitted.

-
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[Shiloh]

Source: http://news.outlookindia.com/items.aspx?artid=779163

3,600 Turkeys Die Near Bangalore After Birdflu Outbreak
Bangalore | Oct 26, 2012

About 3,600 Turkeys have died of avian influenza (H5N1) at the Central Poultry Development Organisation at Hesaragatta on the city outskirts, a government official said here today.

"The remaining 700 Turkeys have been culled",Secretary in the Department of Animal Husbandry,Arvind Jannu,told PTI here.

CPDO has been quarantined,he said. Confirmation that these birds died following the influenza came from Bhopal based high security animal disease laboratory two days ago...

[Shiloh]

Source: http://www.deccanherald.com/content/...-outbreak.html

Migratory birds suspects in flu outbreak
Subhash Chandra N S and Chethan KumarBangalore, Oct 26, 2012 DHNS

Bird watchers reject claim, say no winged visitors at Hesaraghatta Lake

Veterinary experts have suspected migratory birds arriving at Hesaraghatta lake as the carriers of the avian influenza virus, three weeks after bird flu spread at the Central Poultry Development Organisation and Training Institute.

However, bird watchers have rubbished the claim stating that there had been no migratory birds at the lake this year...

[Ronan Kelly]

Avian flu kills 3,400 turkeys at Bangalore unit
TNN | Oct 27, 2012, 05.43AM IST

BANGALORE: The scare of bird flu looms over Bangalore after 3,481 turkeys died reportedly of the disease at a Hesaraghatta farm last week.

The incident was reported from the Central Poultry Development and Organization (CPDO) on the city outskirts. After samples of dead birds sent to the High Security Animal Disease Laboratory at Bhopal tested positive for Type A Influenza ( H5N1), authorities culled 784 more turkeys to check the disease from spreading.

The government has banned the sale of eggs and poultry items in the 10km radius of CPDO. Bangalore is already in the grip of a garbage crisis and there is a spike in the incidence of dengue, chikungunya and gastroenteritis.

Aravind Jannu, principal secretary, state animal husbandry department, said: "The CPDO also houses chicken, emu and duck units, which have been declared safe by the authorities. We are investigating the reason for the spread of the virus. It seems to be in the air this season; also, it could be related to secondary infection among birds."

Two more samples sent for tests on October 22 and 24 tested negative. Jannu said: "Areas within 1km of CPDO have been declared affected and those in 10km are on alert. Police have cordoned off the area and asked poultry farm owners to control the movement of their birds."

As a precautionary measure, the government formed 25 rapid response teams which will visit all 68 villages around Hesaraghatta and educate people about the virus.
...
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/i...w/16976103.cms

[Vibrant62]

It is of note that this region is also experiencing high levels of H1N1 human infection currently, and therefore it is likely that H1N1 infection levels will be high in any swine that may be in this area (as both pigs and humans readily infect each other with pH1N1).

See thread
Karnataka 2012: 34 H1N1 fatalities

This is of concern if H5N1 is circulating widely in the same region as it increases potential risks of reassortment. Therefore it is good to see local authorities responding in this manner.

[Treyfish]

Alert sounded in 68 villages in 10-km radius of CPDO

Following the death of 3,600 turkeys in 13 days at the Central Poultry Development Organisation (CPDO) at Hesarghatta, near here, the State government has sounded an avian influenza alert. Declaring an area within a 10-km radius of the CPDO an alert zone, the government has prohibited preparation and sale of chicken dishes in eateries.

Minister for Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services Revu Naik Belamagi told presspersons here on Friday that the CPDO had culled 700 turkeys. However, other species of birds on the 150-acre campus, including poultry and emu, did not show signs of avian influenza.

People need not panic as the influenza has not spread as of now, he added. Besides turkeys, the CPDO has about 13,500 ducks, 19,000 poultry and 350 emus.

According to Principal Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services, Aravind Jannu, following continuous deaths of turkeys, the CPDO sent samples of blood to the High Security Animal Disease Laboratory, Bhopal, which confirmed avian influenza.

Following this, department officers visited the CPDO and conducted preliminary survey. The Chief Secretary convened a high-level meeting on October 24 which was attended by personnel from the Health and Police departments and the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike. The meeting decided to sound alert in 68 villages in the 10-km radius of the CPDO and create awareness among the people about avian influenza commonly called bird flu, Mr. Jannu said.

Mr. Belamagi said the Bangalore District Deputy Commissioner issued a notification on October 25 enforcing the guidelines circulated by the Union government especially with regard to closure of egg and chicken meat shops. Movement of poultry and poultry products from and into the alert zone has been prohibited and police bandobust has been put in place. People have been advised to inform the department if there are any turkey deaths. The Minister informed presspersons that control rooms have been opened to monitor the spread of the disease and nodal officers have been appointed and 25 rapid response teams formed for culling birds, if required. Mr. Jannu said since birds within the alert zone are not showing any signs of influenza, culling has not been undertaken for the present. If the birds are culled, farmers will be compensated, he added.

Mr. Jannu said that there was no cause for concern as there have been no reports of human deaths from across the country and situation is under control. Movement of people in the 10-km radius of the CPDO is restricted. The zone has about 15 commercial poultry farms and about 1.5 lakh poultry population.

Meanwhile, a senior official at the CPDO told The Hindu that the organisation has regularly been sending blood samples of the livestock on daily basis to the Bhopal laboratory.

Control rooms

The control room at the office of the Commissioner, Animal Husbandry, can be reached on 080-22863260; the one at State Livestock Breeding and Training Centre, Hesarghatta, can be reached on 080-28466397 and the control room at the Deputy Director’s office in Bangalore Urban can be reached on 080-23418327.http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/...le4035508.ece?

[Treyfish]

Bird flu hits poultry sale near City
Bangalore, Oct 26, 2012, DHNS:
Thousands of turkeys die on farm

The State government has banned the sale of poultry products in a 10-km zone around the Central Poultry Breeding Farm in Hessarghatta as a precautionary measure following the outbreak of bird flu among turkey fowl in the poultry complex.

Animal Husbandry Minister Revu Naik Belamagi said at a press conference on Friday that eateries and hotels in 68 villages which come under the 10-km “surveillance zone” had been directed not to serve poultry products, including eggs, until further notice.

The outbreak of the avian influenza was noticed last week following the sudden death of 3,481 turkeys in 10 sheds in the breeding farm run by the Central Poultry Development Organisation. The remaining 784 turkeys were culled in a scientific manner. Tissue samples were sent to the High Security Animal Diseases Laboratory in Bhopal and a confirmation was received on October 25 on the presence of H5N1 virus in the affected birds. http://www.deccanherald.com/content/...try-sale.html?

[Shiloh]

Source: http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/...cle4038698.ece

NAMAKKAL, October 28, 2012
Bird flu outbreak creates shiver among Namakkal exporters
M. K. Ananth

It has been reported from a turkey unit in Bangalore

The bird flu outbreak in a turkey unit of the government-run Central Poultry Development Organisation in Bangalore has triggered fear among farmers and exporters in Tamil Nadu that poultry products from across the country will be prevented from entering overseas and domestic markets.

Though poultry farms in the State have not been affected, the fear is that overseas buyers will not be location-specific while banning the products. The experience so far is that instead of banning products only from the affected zone, buyers react by clamping a ban on poultry products from across the country...

[Shiloh]

Source: http://www.deccanherald.com/content/...avian-flu.html

Response teams to arrest avian flu
Bangalore, Oct 27, 2012, DHNS:

The State government has constituted 25 Rapid Response Teams to check the spread of avian bird flu, which has created a flutter in the City.

Aravind Jannu, Principal Secretary to Animal Husbandry Department, said the virus has been contained within the farm belonging to the Central Poultry Development Organisation and Training Institute off Hesaraghatta where the flu broke out.

He said the entire area has been quarantined while the turkeys have been culled before the flu could spread to other areas...

[Ronan Kelly]

Migratory birds suspects in flu outbreak
Subhash Chandra N S and Chethan Kumar Bangalore, Oct 26, 2012 DHNS
Bird watchers reject claim, say no winged visitors at Hesaraghatta Lake

Veterinary experts have suspected migratory birds arriving at Hesaraghatta lake as the carriers of the avian influenza virus, three weeks after bird flu spread at the Central Poultry Development Organisation and Training Institute.

However, bird watchers have rubbished the claim stating that there had been no migratory birds at the lake this year.

“These birds arriving here perch on tree branches on the Institute campus and their droppings on the grass might have been consumed by the turkeys which have been completely culled now,” said a top official. He said there were no turkeys in the Institute and the chicken farm was under observation.

However, bird watchers who visit Hesaraghatta regularly take exception to the claim. “There are absolutely no migratory birds this year barring one or two marsh harriers and pallid harriers. And these birds don’t prefer human habitats,” said Manjunath P, a bird expert. Clement Francis, another bird expert and wildlife photographer too said migratory birds had not been sighted at the lake for the past five weeks.
...
http://www.deccanherald.com/content/...-outbreak.html

[tetano]

Better poultry biosecurity needed to eliminate avian flu virus

The recent bird flu alert at the Central Poultry Development Organisation (CDPO) at Hesarghatta has yet again brought the focus back on the Highly Pathogenic Avi*an Influenza (HPAI-H5N1) which has the potential to cause significant economic loss and high mortality.
Small farmers and the rural poor, who depend on these livestock, are the ones who bear the brunt. Death rates in humans infected with this virus are much higher than the regular influenza infection. The virus can be transmitted to humans through direct or indirect contact with live or dead poultry — their droppings, feathers, intesti*nes and blood. Once huma*ns are infected, the virus becomes airborne, which makes control difficult.
The failure to control the disease in a sustained manner is mainly because of inadequate veterinary services, high poultry density, poor biosecurity and poor re*gulation of the market chain. India has much to learn from countries in the Asia-Pacific region such as Japan, Korea, Malaysia, China, Thailand and Vietnam, where the disease had been introduced and also eliminated through improved biosecurity in poultry production and preventative vaccination. Com*m*unity-based approaches to communication and public awareness, keeping in mind local cultural practices, has helped the process.

...


http://www.deccanchronicle.com/chann...-flu-virus-767

[Ronan Kelly]

‘Bird flu has not spread to other areas’

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

Animal Husbandry Minister Revu Naik Belamagi has said that the outbreak of bird flu at the Central Poultry Development Organisation (CPDO) at Hesaraghatta near Bangalore has not spread to other parts of the State.

INCIDENTS

“Incidents of bird flu are limited to turkeys and no other species on the campus or elsewhere in the State has shown signs of avian influenza,” he told The Hindu here on Sunday.
...
http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/...cle4041375.ece

Birds at Ranganathittu under watch for flu
Srirangapatna, Oct 28, 2012, DHNS

Following the outbreak of bird flu at Central Poultry Breeding Farm at Hesaraghatta in Bangalore, veterinarians are on high alert at the popular Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary in the taluk.

A team of experts on Saturday visited the sanctuary and collected information pertaining to the movement of birds from the Forest officers. Veterinary officer at Palahalli Hospital Dr Shivashankar said he has sought the Forest department to inform the department in case of deaths among birds in the sanctuary. Preliminary reports state that there is nothing to fear. 
However, the officers are keeping a tab on the winged attractions.
...
http://www.deccanherald.com/content/...watch-flu.html

[Ronan Kelly]

Bird flu suspected in chicken, ducks at government poultry unit

STAFF REPORTER


Blood samples sent for investigation, school on the unit premises closed

Cases of chicken and duck deaths were reported over the weekend at the Central Poultry Development Organisation in Hesaraghatta, near Bangalore, where an outbreak of avian influenza killed around 3,600 turkeys over the last fortnight.

A statement from the Department of Animal Husbandry and Fisheries said that 120 chicken deaths were recorded at the institute on Sunday, while 86 chicken and 17 ducks died on Saturday. Principal Secretary of the department Arvind Jannu told The Hindu that there was cause to suspect an outbreak of avian influenza that now includes poultry other than turkey.

As a precautionary measure, the department has directed local authorities to close a school that is located on the CPDO premises, he added.
...
http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/...cle4043099.ece

Bird flu gets scarier for Bangalore
Published: Monday, Oct 29, 2012, 9:12 IST
By Nirad Mudur & Y Maheswara Reddy | Place: Bangalore | Agency: DNA


Bangalore is facing its biggest-ever bird flu scare. After the Centre, last Thursday, notified the outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza among turkeys at the Central Poultry Development Organization and Training Institute (CPDOTI) in Hesaraghatta on the city’s outskirts, at least 206 chicken and 17 ducks have died, sending officials of the animal husbandry and health departments and scientists at the institute into a tizzy.

Samples of the dead chicken and ducks have been sent to the High Security Animal Disease Laboratory in Bhopal to confirm whether these deaths were caused by avian influenza too. A total of 50 serum samples and 41 cloacal samples (samples of posterior openings of intestinal, reproductive or and urinary tracts) were submitted for laboratory investigations. The reports are awaited.
...
http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/re...galore_1757334

Chicken sellers see no cause for panic

HARISH KUMAR H. S.

The reported outbreak of avian influenza among turkeys in the State-run poultry unit in Hesaraghatta, which is now suspected to have spread to chicken and ducks, does not appear to have deterred people from purchasing chicken or other poultry products from the market.

‘NOT WORRIED’

Most of the private traders The Hindu spoke to near J.P. Nagar 1st phase, Banashankari, and Russell Market said that they were not worried as they procured from private poultry farms, and no issues had been reported elsewhere.

Some chicken sellers said that there had been a decrease in the sales over the weekend, and some over the week. However, they attributed it to the festival season rather than panic or fear due to the reported outbreak. The cases of chicken and duck deaths were only announced by the government officially on Sunday night.
...
http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/...cle4043097.ece

[Gert van der Hoek]

Karnataka State in South West India:

[tetano]

Over 220 chicken, ducks die of suspected bird flu in Bangalore

Bangalore, Oct. 29:

More than 220 chicken and ducks have died at Central Poultry Development Organisation at Hesaragatta here, where avian influenza (H5N1) claimed over 3,600 turkeys over the last fortnight.

“Mortality among the chicken and ducks are also reported from CPDO,” Secretary in the Animal Husbandry Department Arvin Ramachandra Jannu said.

As many as 120 chicken died yesterday and 86 chicken and 17 ducks on Saturday.

“All these dead birds were disposed of as per the Government of India Action Plan. To know the cause of death, samples were collected from chicken and ducks and submitted to HSADL (High Security Animal Disease Laboratory), Bhopal, and the report is awaited,” Jannu said.

The Centre had notified the outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in turkeys at CPDO on October 25.

Action has been initiated as per Government of India Action Plan 2012 for control, containment and eradication of avian influenza.

Sanitisation activity in the turkey unit has started and till yesterday one shed was sanitised. Remaining sheds would be sanitised in coming days and disinfection procedures will be followed. Yesterday, 78 officers and staffs were involved in this activity.

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/...ue&ref=wl_home

[tetano]

Avian Influenza: Over 19,000 Chicken to be Culled


Bangalore,Oct 29 (PTI): More than 19000 chicken and 13,300 emu birds are to be culled at the Central Poultry Development Organisation at Hesaraghtta here, where avian influenza (H5N1) had claimed over 3,600 turkeys over the last fortnight, a top official said today.

As many as 120 chicken died yesterday and 86 chicken and 17 ducks on Saturday, Animal Husbandry Secretary Arvind Ramachandra Jannu told PTI.

"All these dead birds were disposed as per the Government of India Action Plan. To know the cause of death, samples were collected from chicken and ducks and submitted to HSADL (High Security Animal Disease Laboratory), Bhopal and the report is awaited," Jannu said.

The central government had notified the outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in turkeys at CPDO on October 25. Action has been initiated for control and eradication of avian influenza, he said.

Sanitisation activity in the turkey unit has started and till yesterday one shed was sanitised. Remaining sheds would be sanitised in coming days and disinfection procedures will be followed. Yesterday, 78 officers and staff were involved in the activity.

Sixtyeight villages in the 10 km radius from the turkey unit of CPDO had been identified as a surveillance zone and disease surveillance process has been activated. Serum and cloacal samples have been collected and submitted for laboratory investigation, he said.

"There is no report of unusual mortality among the poultry and birds in the surveillance zone," Jannu said.

"Necessary direction has been issued to the authority concerned to close a school, located in CPDO, for 15 days," he added.

http://www.daijiworld.com/news/news_...sp?n_id=153940

[Shiloh]

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/c...w/17014183.cms

33,000 poultry birds being culled near Bangalore to contain bird flu outbreak
TNN | Oct 30, 2012, 07.13AM IST

BANGALORE: Bird flu continues to wreak havoc at the Central Poultry Development Organization (CPDO) at Hesaraghatta, 40 km from here, necessitating culling of thousands of chicken, ducks and emus at the institute and its vicinity.

On Monday, the state government said tests had confirmed that 206 chicken and 17 ducks that died at the institute last weekend were affected by the highly pathogenic avian influenza ( H5N1) virus.

The development prompted the animal husbandry department to announce culling of over 33,000 birds — 19,235 chicken, 13,673 ducks and 369 emus — on the CPDO premises and its 1-km radius. It said 52 chicken sheds in the area are being sanitized to prevent any spread of the flu...

[Ronan Kelly]

Culling begins, Karnataka bans movement of poultry

BANGALORE BUREAU


The government on Tuesday extended the ban on marketing and movement of poultry and poultry products to and from the surveillance zone, which lies in a 10-km radius around the CPDO, till November 15.
Culling of chickens is under way at the Central Poultry Development Organisation (CPDO) at Hesaraghatta near here, which has been hit by an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1). The government on Tuesday extended the ban on marketing and movement of poultry and poultry products to and from the surveillance zone, which lies in a 10-km radius around the CPDO, till November 15.

Following Monday’s decision to cull more than 33,000 birds (chicken, duck and emu) at the unit, 19,154 chickens were culled on Tuesday. The remaining, officials said, will be culled and disposed of over the next 8 to 10 days.
...
http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/...cle4048499.ece

[Ronan Kelly]

http://dahd.nic.in/dahd/WriteReadDat...a_main0001.pdf




http://dahd.nic.in/dahd/WriteReadDat...turkey0001.pdf

[Ronan Kelly]

Migratory birds behind avian flu?
Published: Wednesday, Oct 31, 2012, 16:02 IST
By Y Maheswara Reddy | Place: Bangalore | Agency: DNA


While the authorities concerned are still groping in the dark about the cause of the spread of avian influenza at the Central Poultry Development Organisation and Training Institute (CPDOTI) farm sources privy to the animal husbandry department are not ruling out the possibility of wild migratory birds being the root cause of the spread of the virus.

The animal and husbandry department authorities have formed six surveillance teams apart from the 25 rapid response teams to contain the spread of avian influenza to other areas. The six teams have collected 175 samples from 10-km surveillance zone and submitted to laboratory for investigation. The sources said that no unusual death of birds was noticed in the surveillance zone or in any part of the state.

As of now, Bangalore Urban deputy commissioner MK Aiyappa has extended ban on marketing and movement of poultry and poultry products to and from the surveillance zone till November 15.

“The rapid response teams have been involved in the culling and disposal of the 19,235 chicken, 13,673 ducks, 369 emus and sanitisation of 52 poultry sheds in the CPDO farm. So far, 19,154 chickens in CPDO have been culled and disposed,” said Aravind Jannu, principal secretary, department of animal husbandry.

Sources said the doctors and staff of animal husbandry department have been working overtime in and around Hesaraghatta. They said the cleaning and surveillance will be on for one month at various poultry farms. “Culling of emus and ducks will be completed within a week. Emus and ducks are bigger than chicken in size so we have to follow some scientific methods while culling emus and ducks,” said Jannu.
...
http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/re...an-flu_1758485

[Ronan Kelly]

Anti-bird flu warriors grope in the dark
Published: Thursday, Nov 1, 2012, 8:28 IST
By Nirad Mudur | Place: Bangalore | Agency: DNA


The confirmation of avian influenza among the birds housed at Central Poultry Development Organisation & Training Institute (CPDOTI) in Hesaraghatta near here has only worsened the situation, with fears of it leading to a further outbreak among birds and — in a more scary scenario — among humans too.

This is because while confirming that the samples of chickens, ducks and emus had tested positive for avian influenza, the scientists at the High Security Animal Disease Laboratory (HSADL) in Bhopal have not been able to identify precisely whether the virus infecting the CPDOTI birds is a mutation or not. Nor have they been able to determine how rapidly this virus can infect humans, or even the pace of disease spread among birds.

The situation is scary because as per scientists at HSADL who preferred to remain anonymous, a year ago a dangerous mutation of the H5N1 virus (the virus that causes avian flu) had occurred in July-August 2011.
...
http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report...e-dark_1758688

Culling operations on in Hesaraghatta
TNN | Nov 1, 2012, 06.14AM IST

BANGALORE: Some 19,235 chickens, 13,342 ducks, 369 emus, one ostrich and 11,939 eggs were culled till Wednesday at the Central Poultry Development Organization (CPDO), Hesaraghatta, where an outbreak of bird flu was declared last week.

The birds have been culled and disposed of as per guidelines , the animal husbandry department said. The sanitization process of sheds and pens in which the birds were housed is in progress.

Surveillance work in the 10-km radius within the bird flu epicentre is also on.
...
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/c...w/17042072.cms

Avian Flu in Karnataka hits poultry exports


KOCHI | AHMEDABAD: As the poultry industry is rocked by yet another avian flu attack in Karnataka, major companies and states are taking precautionary measures fearing a ban on sales and exports.

Kerala has imposed a ban on poultry products from Karnataka. The disease has occurred when the industry is gearing up for peak winter consumption in India and overseas.

The birds have been culled in the Central Poultry Development Organisation, near Bangalore, where the avian flu was detected among turkeys, ducks and emus. "Our egg exports are just recovering from a ban imposed by the Middle East when the last incident of avian flu occurred over a year ago. From 300 containers a month, it had hit a low of 50,'' said PV Senthil, secretary of Livestock and Agri Farmers Trade Association.
...
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/...w/17042027.cms

Flu scare sees chicken smuggled to Kerala
Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 31, 2012, DHNS
Chicken smuggling from Tamil Nadu and Karnataka to Kerala has become rampant in the wake the latter banning the poultry, eggs and related products from other states for fear of bird flu (avian influenza) at the Central Poultry Development Organisation (CPDO) at Hesaraghatta near Bangalore.

The vehicles carrying chicken from these states now take unguarded by-roads at the state borders to enter the most lucrative chicken market in the country.

On Tuesday night alone, 30 chicken-laden trucks from Karnataka and Tamil Nadu entered the state through porous Gopalapuram in the Palakkad district, said a leading chicken dealer in the state on the condition of anonymity. He confirmed that similar operations are taking places at other border districts such as Idukki, Thiruvananthapruam and Kollam.

With the ban, police and other agencies are more vigilant at all 18 check posts in the state and are sending back chicken and egg carrying vehicles. On Wednesday, five trucks with eggs coming to Kerala from Namackkal, the major egg producing centre in Tamil Nadu, had to return as they were not permitted to enter the state.
...
http://www.deccanherald.com/content/...-smuggled.html

[Shiloh]

Source: http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/re...theory_1758889

Experts debunk migratory birds theory
Published: Thursday, Nov 1, 2012, 15:50 IST
By Aishhwariya Subramanian | Place: Bangalore | Agency: DNA

The hunt for the elusive cause of the avian influenza outbreak at Central Poultry Development Organisation & Training Institute (CPDOTI) on Tuesday saw officials of animal husbandry department blaming migratory birds for carrying the virus. But ornithologists have debunked the theory despite animal husbandry officials stating that the Hesaraghatta Lake close to CPDOTI facility which attracts migratory birds was the culprit for the outbreak...

[Ronan Kelly]

Poultry products lie on Kerala border
V Senthil Kumaran, TNN | Nov 2, 2012, 05.42AM IST

COIMBATORE/ NAMAKKAL: State agriculture minister and chief secretary spoke to their Kerala counterparts to allow poultry farmers in Tamil Nadu transport chicken and eggs to markets in the neighbouring state.

Poultry farmers and exporters, largely centered in and around Namakkal, are facing a major crisis ever since Kerala, a major market, imposed a ban on poultry products from TN after reports of outbreak of avian influenza or bird flu in Bangalore earlier this week. Stocks have piled up in Namakkal resulting in severe loss for the farmers. Kerala's decision to close the border for chicken and eggs has deprived the farmers of not only a large market but also severely affected exports to Gulf countries though Kochi port. Reports of the bird flu outbreak have also led to fall in domestic consumption across Tamil Nadu.
...
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/c...w/17056436.cms

Govt deploys officials on damage-control mission to Kerala
TNN | Nov 2, 2012, 04.00AM IST

BANGALORE: With Kerala banning poultry from Karnataka following the outbreak of avian flu at Central Poultry Development Organization in Hesaraghatta, the government here despatched a team from the animal husbandry department to figure out ways to ensure the ban is lifted.

The Karnataka government plans to revive the poultry industry in the city which has faced losses following the outbreak of avian flu. Aravind Jannu, principal secretary, animal husbandry department, told TOI on Thursday: "We've started negotiations with our counterparts in the Kerala government to resume purchase from Karnataka and to tell them it's safe.''
...
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/c...w/17055662.cms

[Ronan Kelly]

11 chickens found dead outside CPDO

STAFF REPORTER


At least 11 chickens were found dead under unusual circumstances near the Central Poultry Development Organisation (CPDO) at Hesarghatta near here, raising fears of the spread of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) outside the CPDO where the outbreak of the avian flu has been notified by the Union government.

According to sources, 11 chickens of the 20 that Manikyappa Ramanna had in his farm in Hesarghatta were found dead, while three chicks and five hens belonging to Manjamma in Vinayakanagar were found dead on Saturday night.

Soon after hearing the news, sources said, veterinarians rushed to these spots and collected samples, which were sent to the Institute of Animal Health and Veterinary Biologicals (IAHVB) here.

“Samples have been sent to IAHVB. If the results prove that the birds died of avian influenza, we have to take more stringent action that could include culling of birds in the 10-km surveillance area,” Principal Secretary of Animal Husbandry Arvind Jannu told The Hindu. He said: “We do not want to be liberal about the loss of business. If we are liberal, the result will be disastrous.”
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http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/...?ref=slideshow

[Ronan Kelly]

Dead birds not infected

STAFF REPORTER

The results of the test conducted on the 11 chickens found dead near the Central Poultry Development Organisation has been negative for the highly patho-genic avian influenza (H5N1), according to CPDO sources.

The deaths reported from a private farm at Hessarghatta and from another place — both in CPDO’s vicinity — had sent alarm bells ringing and veterinarians had rushed to collect samples.
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http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/...le4068281.ece?

[Ronan Kelly]

Advice like this could explain lots of the food poisoning cases observed in india... - Ro

Rs 6 cr lost daily: poultry traders
TNN | Nov 11, 2012, 06.05AM IST


BANGALORE: The poultry industry in Karnataka on Saturday claimed that they had suffered a Rs 6-crore loss every day due to the outbreak of the bird flu which they termed as "unnecessary panic".

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He also expressed concern about farmers committing suicide if the trend continues. "Even the turkey fowls can be eaten if properly cooked at 70 degree Celsius heat for 30 minutes. There is no need to panic as the wholesale merchants are purchasing directly from farmers,'' he added.

[Ronan Kelly]

Avian flu scare: Price of chicken drops
Stanley Pinto, TNN | Nov 12, 2012, 05.17AM IST

MANGALORE: The prices of chicken, both live and meat, have dropped by almost 20%-30% in the coastal city following the avian flu scare, even though no cases have been reported from here so far.

Restaurants which procure meat daily are making a killing as they have not reduced prices and others who have annual contract say they cannot reduce as their rates are pre-fixed.

According to Lester D'Souza, managing partner of Souza Hatcheries, the prices started dropping about 20 days ago. "The rates have not gone back to the pre-Avian Flu scare days yet. This scare, coupled with un-liquidated stocks due to sealing of Kerala border added to the woes. Now the situation seems to be improving as prices have moved up marginally,'' he said.
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http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/c...w/17187934.cms

[Ronan Kelly]

Ban on chicken from Karnataka lifted
TNN | Nov 20, 2012, 06.16 AM IST


THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The [Kerala] state government has waived the ban imposed for transporting chicken from Karnataka. The ban imposed on the transport of chicken and related products following the bird flu outbreak a Hasargatta was lifted with immediate effect on Monday. However, there would be certain conditions the traders had to fulfil for brining chicken from Karnataka.

A press note issued by the animal husbandry department said each load should carry two copies of the certificates given by the district veterinary officer saying that the load was taken from a place unaffected by bird flu. Following the bird flu outbreak, the state has banned chicken from Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. But, the ban on loads from Tamil Nadu was lifted earlier following request from the traders at Namakkal.
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http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/c...w/17288764.cms