Bird Flu Confirmed at Cuddalore Farm as Authorities Cull Over 1,500 Chickens

Outbreak Confirmed

Avian influenza has been confirmed at a poultry farm in Kattiyankuppam village located in Kurinjipadi taluk within Cuddalore district. The National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases in Bhopal confirmed the H5N1 virus on November 13 after testing a carcass sample sent on November 5.

Containment Measures

District Collector Sibi Adhithya Senthil Kumar stated that 35,647 bird deaths occurred in the affected belt up to November 13, following sudden mortality first reported at Thamanampatti village in Thiyagavalli Panchayat on October 30. Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services teams deployed nine Rapid Response Teams to cull 1,550 birds so far, with plans to clear all birds in the epicentre farm and a one-kilometre radius. Carcasses are buried deep in designated pits with bleaching powder, while officials banned bird movement and prohibited restocking poultry for three months.

Context

Bird flu outbreaks in poultry typically trigger strict containment zones and mass culling to prevent the virus from spreading to other farms and human populations. Authorities follow national action plans involving disinfection, surveillance, and movement restrictions to control the disease.