India: Large number of peacocks, pigeons, crows & cranes found dead in Khurda, Odisha - Samples sent for testing - test report rules out avian influenza

[Ronan Kelly]

BHUBANESWAR, December 9, 2015
Updated: December 9, 2015 05:39 IST
20 peacocks found dead in Khurda forest

STAFF REPORTER

Carcasses of at least 20 peacocks were found lying in Madhupur village forest in Khurda district on Tuesday morning.

Veterinarians and wildlife experts hint at possible bird flu deaths.

?Bodies of 20 peacocks and other birds were found lying scattered in small patch of forest near Madhupur. Veterinarians from Odisha University of Agriculture Technology collected all bodies for their tests,? said Akshaya Patnaik, Divisional Forest Officer for Khurda Forest Division.

Although there was no confirmation about bird flu deaths, bodies were buried as per procedures followed in the event of bird flu outbreak.
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http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/20-peacocks-found-dead-in-khurda-forest/article7962855.ece

25 Peacocks Found Dead in Khurda Forest, Autopsy Report Awaited
By Express News Service Published: 09th December 2015 03:47 AM Last Updated: 09th December 2015 03:47 AM

BHUBANESWAR: Mysterious death of around 25 peacocks and a large number of other bird species, including pigeons, crows and cranes near Khurda, has sparked fears of bird flu outbreak in the State.

The birds were found lying dead near a water body at Madhupur village forest under Khurda Forest Division on Tuesday morning. Panicky villagers informed Forest officials of Khurda and Chandaka divisions, who rushed to the spot and recovered the carcasses.

Some carcasses have been sent to OUAT for preliminary examination. Samples would be sent to Animal Disease Research Institute (ADRI) of State Veterinary Department and National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSD), Bhopal, for determining the nature of deaths, Chandaka DFO Manoj Mohapatra said.
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There was also no tell-tale sign of poisoning substances on the ground even as water samples from the water body have been sent for testing. In the event of deliberate poisoning too such a large number of birds feeding or drinking at the same time was a distant possibility, sources said.
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http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/25-Peacocks-Found-Dead-in-Khurda-Forest-Autopsy-Report-Awaited/2015/12/09/article3168498.ece

[Pathfinder]

After Peacock Deaths, Bird Flu Alert Sounded in Districts

By Express News Service Published: 10th December 2015 04:59 AM
Last Updated: 10th December 2015 04:59 AM

BHUBANESWAR: A day after multiple species of birds, majority of them peacocks, were found dead in a forested region of Khurda, the Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Directorate apprehending avian influenza (AI) behind the deaths, asked all districts to mount surveillance and report any unusual mortality among birds.
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Behera said, the immediate task was to ascertain or rule out bird flu. ?We have already sent the samples to HSADL, Bhopal and are awaiting test report. Since we had tagged the case as priority, the reports are expected within 72 hours,? he added.

Preliminary investigation has revealed no case of wild bird being affected in the area...

During Wednesday?s investigation, the teams also spotted a live, yet sick bird from which swab has been collected. Similarly, sample from the water body was taken. ..

Meanwhile, Chief District Veterinary Officer (CDVO) of Khurda has directed that samples from birds at Chilika lagoon be collected and sent for investigation. Divisional Forest Officer, Chilika, Bikash Ranjan Dash said so far, no suspicious bird death has been reported and vigil has been mounted.
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http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/After-Peacock-Deaths-Bird-Flu-Alert-Sounded-in-Districts/2015/12/10/article3170106.ece

[Pathfinder]

Odisha peacock death: test report rules out avian influenza

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Dec 15:

In the recent case of peacock deaths in Odisha?s Khurda, Bhopal based National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases has ruled out chances of avian influenza after testing the swabs sent by OUAT (Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology).

The test result by the national institute was announced today by Bishnupada Sethi, the Commissioner-cum-Secretary to Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Department.

?We have received the reports of National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases for the two samples we had sent. There have been no traces of bird flu in the first sample and as per the preliminary investigation; the second sample also is clean from avain influenza,? said Sethi.

?At this point we are not able to rule out poisoning angle. A detailed study report is awaited in this regard. The Veterinary College of OUAT will conduct further tests to find out the exact cause of death,? he added.
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http://odishasuntimes.com/2015/12/15/odisha-peacock-death-test-report-rules-out-avian-influenza/

[Ronan Kelly]

Bird flu ruled out in death of 18 peacocks
Post News Network

Khurda, Dec 15: Death of 18 peacocks due to suspected bird-flu in the district last week has been denied.
According to a test report released by Bhopal-based National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD), under Indian Council of Agriculture Research, the death of 18 peacocks and two other birds was not due to avian influenza in Madhupur forest.
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Khurda forest department personnel Tuesday reported that a peacock near a poultry farm under Kumarbasta area was ailing.
They said the bird?s neck has swollen and it faced difficulty in walking, department sources said. The Khurda forest range members had brought the injured peacock to Ketakijhar Central Nursery for its treatment.
Forest ranger Dilip Kumar Rout said the peacock found in Kumarbasta was administered medicine after consultation with OUAT doctors. Since the Madupur forest is close to Kumarbasta, the officials were under the impression that bird flu or avian influenza might have afflicted its peacock.

http://www.orissapost.com/bird-flu-ruled-out-in-death-of-18-peacocks/

[Pathfinder]

3 more national bird deaths in Odisha

Published on 16 December 2015 By Prameya News7 (author)

Earlier 20 peacocks had died on a single day in same area

Their Bhopal Swab Test report had hinted at ?no bird flu?

Bhubaneswar: Yet three more carcasses of the national bird have been recovered by the Khurda Forest officialson Wednesday and brought to the Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) in the state capital city here for post mortem.
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- See more at: http://prameyanews7.com/en/dec2015/o....KFCQu1Ya.dpuf

[Pathfinder]

National Bird Deaths in Odisha: Khurda Forest sleuths raid villages, 3 rounded up

Published on 18 December 2015 By Prameya News7 (author)

Bhubaneswar: Following the deaths of 20 peacocks in one go earlier and yet again the deaths of three more national birds recently and the autopsy reports of both hinting at poison as the cause behind the deaths, the Khurda Forest Department officials on Friday swooped down on Madhupur village and its peripheral villages and have rounded up three-four suspects behind the alleged crime.

As per reports, the three-four villagers have been detained by the Forest Department and investigation is on to ascertain their links in the alleged poisoning of the peacocks and other birds.

Even it is said that a pharmaceutical company there is also under the scanner as the birds might have got killed after consuming the toxic wasteproducts from the plant.

- See more at: http://prameyanews7.com/en/dec2015/o....k6pKVpek.dpuf