The Belagavi district administration has implemented several steps to prevent the spread of H5N1 Avian influenza, also known as bird flu, following its outbreak in Udayagiri, Latur district, Maharashtra.
The administration has initiated sample screenings at individual and commercial farms and set up check posts along the Karnataka-Maharashtra border. As per the 20th livestock census, Belagavi is home to 26.40 lakh broilers, or egg-laying chickens.
In line with Union Government safety protocols, seven check posts have been established along the borders with Maharashtra and Goa. These posts are located at Kottalagi and Kagwada in Athani taluk, Koganolli in Nippani taluk, Sankeshwar in Hukkeri taluk, Hindalaga in Belgaum taluk, Examba in Chikkodi taluk, and Kanakumbi in Khanapur taluk. Officials from the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services Departments supervise these posts, where staff work in three shifts to inspect chicken, eggs, chicken meat, and by-products from Maharashtra and Goa.
Officials are closely monitoring migratory birds and other birds in riverside villages and areas surrounding water bodies throughout the district. In case of unusual bird deaths, the bodies are sent to the Southern Regional Disease Diagnostic Laboratory in Bengaluru for testing.
Regular swab samples are being collected to detect any potential spread of the disease. This includes two samples each of environmental, serum, cloacal, and tracheal types from every taluk every Monday, which are then submitted to the Animal Disease Investigation Laboratory in Belagavi. So far, 363 serum, 363 cloacal, 363 tracheal, and 138 environmental samples have been sent from the district.
A Nodal Officer and Technical Assistant have been appointed for the district’s avian influenza control program, with 15 Veterinary Officers named as Nodal Officers. Additionally, Rapid Action Teams (RATs) have been formed at the taluk level to handle field operations. Each RAT consists of a qualified veterinary officer, one support staff, and two assistants. Task force members have been notified about the necessary precautionary steps in case of an outbreak.
Information workshops on bird flu prevention are being organized for poultry farmers and entrepreneurs.
Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Roshan stated that the district is prepared to tackle the disease. “We have coordinated with the district administration, animal husbandry, veterinary services, health and family welfare, and forest departments to prevent an outbreak. An integrated information and communication program is also being launched,” he said.
“We have received reports of outbreaks in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Maharashtra. As a precaution, we held meetings with various departments and implemented preventive measures,” Roshan added.
As part of the preparedness plan, 33 Rapid Action Force (RAF) teams have been deployed, and necessary materials, such as disinfectants, PPE kits, fogging machines, JCBs, and gunny bags, have been stockpiled for controlling any potential outbreak and properly disposing of dead poultry.
Rahul Shindhe, Zilla Panchayat CEO, assured that workshops are being organized to raise awareness among officials, farmers, and the public. He emphasized that there have been no reported cases of bird flu in the district yet. He also reassured egg and chicken consumers that the products are safe if cooked or boiled at temperatures above 70°C. People are advised to contact veterinarians in case of unusual bird deaths in the district.
