Ballari, 1 March

Karnataka has stepped up measures to combat an avian flu outbreak, with mass culling of poultry and heightened surveillance across three affected districts—Ballari, Raichur, and Chikkaballapur—following confirmed cases of H5N1. No human cases have been reported so far.

The outbreak was first detected in Manvi taluk of Raichur, Sandur taluk in Ballari, and Chikkaballapur taluk. In Ballari, nearly 2,000 birds at a poultry farm in Karekop village died, while in Raichur, 30 birds succumbed to the virus. A laboratory in Bhopal confirmed H5N1 as the cause of death.

In response, authorities have initiated culling operations, with 292 poultry birds culled in Chikkaballapur and 1,020 in Ballari. Eggs from these sites were also destroyed. Culling teams are equipped with protective gear, including masks, gloves, and goggles. Rapid response teams have been set up to monitor the situation, and an area within a 3-kilometre radius of the infected farms has been declared an "Infected Area."

To prevent the spread, poultry markets within a 10km radius have been closed, and all poultry products, including eggs and waste materials, have been destroyed. Prophylactic medication has been administered to individuals who were in close contact with the farms, and they are being monitored for flu-like symptoms.

Authorities are closely monitoring the situation at state borders with Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, where the outbreak originated. While the situation is being managed, public health officials urge people not to panic, assuring that all necessary precautions are being taken. Salar News