A wave of fear has swept through Darbhanga, Bihar, after lab tests confirmed avian influenza (H1N1) as the cause behind mass crow fatalities. High alert has been sounded, mobilizing the district administration and veterinary teams into overdrive.
Thousands of crows have perished in the Bhigo area of Ward 31, urban Darbhanga, with the phenomenon spilling over to adjacent regions. Local estimates peg the death count near 10,000, first noted on January 12. Samples dispatched to Bhopal on the same day returned positive results by Friday, igniting urgent response measures.
Municipal workers, clad in protective gear, scooped up the dead birds and interred them in deep trenches excavated by heavy machinery, ensuring bio-secure disposal. The sight of piled carcasses has left residents rattled.
Animal husbandry officer Dr. Mohammad Intkhwab Akhtar announced comprehensive poultry farm inspections. Teams of vets are fanning out across Darbhanga to scrutinize operations. ‘Intensive surveillance via blood antibody tests will pinpoint any risks,’ he explained. Immediate culling and quarantine protocols stand ready for infected sites.
Public advisories stress steering clear of deceased avian remains and notifying officials of anomalies. The administration’s proactive stance aims to firewall the outbreak, protecting both poultry livelihoods and human health.
Bird flu’s jump to crows signals potential peril for domestic birds, evoking memories of past epidemics that crippled farms nationwide. With Bihar’s poultry industry at stake, containment efforts are paramount. Updates will follow as the situation evolves, but for now, caution reigns supreme.