SAMBALPUR: Bird flu scare has gripped Sambalpur after three pigeons were reportedly found dead near Patneswari Club at Kamlibazar on Wednesday. The reason behind their death is yet to be ascertained. Locals said although they had informed the Veterinary department, none turned up to collect the samples.
On the other hand, there is a drop in the sale of chicken in Sambalpur due to low consumption following bird flu scare. The country fowls are mostly imported from Sundargarh and areas bordering it. A week back, reports of pigeon death were also received from Jharsuguda district. Although the death had created panic among the residents, Chief District Veterinary Officer (CDVO) Dr Subhas Mallick had dismissed it by stating that they have not received any complaint as yet.
He said, “Although there was such report in a section of the media, on visit we could not trace any dead bird or complaint from the people.” Meanwhile, CDVO, Sambalpur, Dr Sabysachi Basu said that as of now, there has been no report of bird flu.
“The Veterinary Department and the field staff are on high alert. Also, the faecal sample is being collected and sent for test on regular basis,” he added. “We had recently convened a meeting over the matter and vaccination programme to prevent outbreak of the flu is on in full swing. A close watch on the situation is being maintained,” Basu said.
With lakhs of migratory birds flying in to the Hirakud Dam Reservoir, the Hirakud Wildlife Division is also keeping a close watch on the birds. Although DFO (Wildlife), Hirakud Wildlife Division, Sudeep Nayak denied receiving any report as yet, he said that they are keeping a tab on the situation.