BHAWANIPATNA: Bird flu panic gripped Kalahandi after crow deaths were reported from some parts of the district in the last few days.
After some sections of the media reported crow deaths in Gaud Sargiguda, Mathura, Mahichala and Charbahal villages under Junagarh block on Tuesday, Chief District Veterinary Officer Padmanava Pradhan visited the areas. After an assessment, he allayed fears of bird flu and said there was no reason to panic as no such cases were found.
The Veterinary Department is keeping vigil, he added.
Meanwhile, steps are being taken to administer poultry population of the district with Ranikhet disease vaccine. Though delayed, vaccination is being taken up in a slow pace.
During the current year 1.20 lakh vials of vaccine have been supplied to the district against the poultry population of around eight lakh. Ironically, even the small amount of available vaccine has not been fully utilised by the veterinary staff. Meanwhile, district veterinary office has requisitioned 50,000 doses.