Amid rising concerns over Bird Flu (H5N1) cases in neighboring states, which have impacted poultry sales, the Belagavi animal husbandry department has reassured the public that no cases have been detected in the district so far.
Officials emphasized that consuming chicken and eggs remains safe when cooked at or above 70°C through boiling or frying.
Dr. Rajeev Kuler, Deputy Director of the Animal Husbandry Department, urged people not to fall for misinformation that could harm the poultry industry. However, due to prevailing fear, chicken prices have dropped from ₹240 to ₹160 per kg within a week. The district is home to approximately 26.4 lakh poultry birds.
To prevent any outbreak, the department has implemented strict measures, including setting up seven 24×7 check-posts at Kagawad, Kottalagi (Athani taluk), Koganolli (Nippani taluk), Sankeshwar (Hukkeri taluk), Hindalaga (Belagavi taluk), Examba (Chikodi taluk), and Kanakumbi (Khanapur taluk). Poultry and related products entering Karnataka are screened at these points.
Authorities are also monitoring migratory bird activity in riverside villages. Veterinary teams across all taluks have been directed to send any suspected bird flu cases for lab testing. So far, 363 serum, cloacal, and tracheal samples, along with 138 environmental samples, have been dispatched for examination.
Additionally, one nodal officer has been appointed at the district level and 15 at the taluk level. Each taluk also has a Rapid Response Team (RRT), comprising a trained veterinary officer and two assistants, to tackle any potential outbreak.
