A 12-year-old boy who was undergoing treatment for Avian Influenza has died at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi. This is the first bird flu death recorded in the country since the beginning of this year.

India reports this year's first human death from bird flu

A 12-year-old kid undergoing treatment for H5N1 Avian Influenza died at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi today, marking the first bird flu death in the country this year.

As a precaution, the whole staff of AIIMS, New Delhi, has been kept in isolation.

Officials from AIIMS told the news agency ANI, "After the diagnosis, the 12-year-old child being treated in the hospital's D5 ward was discovered to be infected with H5N1 (Avian flu). Leukaemia and pneumonia were both were present in the youngster. He was sent to the AIIMS ICU in Delhi for treatment."

Influenza that affects birds is known as bird flu.

This illness can, on rare occasions, spread to people.

Several Indian states saw a sudden Pandemic of avian influenza earlier this year, owing to the Coronavirus pandemic.

Doctors say this is the first time avian flu has been transmitted to a human.

Bird flu is more deadly than Covid-19, with a 60 per cent fatality rate compared to Covid's 3% mortality rate.

According to WHO, the last human incidence of bird flu in the world occurred in Laos in October 2020.

In June of this year, China reported the first human case of avian flu.

(With inputs from agencies)

A 12-year-old kid undergoing treatment for H5N1 Avian Influenza died at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi today, marking the first bird flu death in the country this year.

A 12-year-old kid undergoing treatment for H5N1 Avian Influenza died at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi today, marking the first bird flu death in the country this year. As a precaution, the whole staff of AIIMS, New Delhi, has been kept in isolation. Officials from AIIMS told the news agency ANI, "After the diagnosis, the 12-year-old child being treated in the hospital's D5 ward was discovered to be infected with H5N1 (Avian flu). Leukaemia and pneumonia were both were present in the youngster. He was sent to the AIIMS ICU in Delhi for treatment." Influenza that affects birds is known as bird flu. This illness can, on rare occasions, spread to people. Several Indian states saw a sudden Pandemic of avian influenza earlier this year, owing to the Coronavirus pandemic. Doctors say this is the first time avian flu has been transmitted to a human. Bird flu is more deadly than Covid-19, with a 60 per cent fatality rate compared to Covid's 3% mortality rate. According to WHO, the last human incidence of bird flu in the world occurred in Laos in October 2020. In June of this year, China reported the first human case of avian flu. (With inputs from agencies)

First bird flu death in India this year reported at AIIMS New Delhi

Chinese state media said on Thursday that the country had confirmed one case of human infection with H5N6 strain of bird flu. The case has been confirmed in China's Sichuan province. As per the Chinese media, a 55-year-old man was hospitalised in Bazhong after he came into the hospital with a fever and tested positive for the strain.

Chinese state-run CCTV said that local officials “activated an emergency response and sterilized the area”

The report said that risk of widespread infections was low. It cited an unnamed expert.

H5N6 virus is one of the few potentially dangerous virus strain that scientists have been finding over the years in flocks of poultry. The strain was first detected in Laos

Till last week, 32 confirmed cases of human infections and 19 deaths have been recorded with the World Health Organisation from 2014.

Chinese state media said on Thursday that the country had confirmed one case of human infection with H5N6 strain of bird flu. The case has been confirmed in China's Sichuan province.

Chinese state media said on Thursday that the country had confirmed one case of human infection with H5N6 strain of bird flu. The case has been confirmed in China's Sichuan province. As per the Chinese media, a 55-year-old man was hospitalised in Bazhong after he came into the hospital with a fever and tested positive for the strain. Chinese state-run CCTV said that local officials “activated an emergency response and sterilized the area” The report said that risk of widespread infections was low. It cited an unnamed expert. H5N6 virus is one of the few potentially dangerous virus strain that scientists have been finding over the years in flocks of poultry. The strain was first detected in Laos Till last week, 32 confirmed cases of human infections and 19 deaths have been recorded with the World Health Organisation from 2014.

China's Sichuan reports human case of H5N6 bird flu: State media

A man in China has become the first person to be infected by a new strain of Bird Flu. But, it is not the first time that China has reported a Bird Flu outbreak. WION's Palki tells you why Bird Flu has the potential to become a pandemic.

Gravitas:  A new kind of bird flu in China

A 41-year-old man in China's eastern province of Jiangsu has been confirmed as the first human case of infection with a rare strain of&nbsp;bird&nbsp;flu&nbsp;known as H10N3, Beijing's National Health Commission (NHC) has said.

The man, a resident of the city of Zhenjiang, was hospitalized on April 28 and diagnosed with H10N3 on May 28, the health commission said on Tuesday, adding that his condition is stable.

It did not give details on how the man was infected but said investigation of his close contacts found no other cases and the risk of spread was very low.

WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT H10N3?

Little is known about the virus, which appears to be rare in&nbsp;birds, according to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), and does not cause severe disease.

The World Health Organization (WHO) said while the source of the patient's exposure to the H10N3 virus was not known and no other cases were found among the local population, there was no indication of human-to-human transmission yet.

Yet avian influenza viruses that have little impact on&nbsp;birds can be much more serious in people, such as the H7N9 strain that killed almost 300 people in China during the winter of 2016-2017. The WHO has said there had been only rare instances of person-to-person spread of the H7N9 virus.

WHAT ARE THE RISKS?

The risk of further infection with H10N3 is currently believed to be very low, with experts describing the case as "sporadic".

Such cases occur occasionally in China which has huge populations of both farmed and wild&nbsp;birds of many species.

And with growing surveillance of avian influenza in the human population, more infections with&nbsp;bird&nbsp;flu&nbsp;viruses are being picked up.

In February, Russia reported the first human infection with the H5N8 virus that caused huge damage on poultry farms across Europe, Russia and East Asia last winter.

Seven people infected with the virus were asymptomatic, authorities said.

Experts will be on alert for any clusters of H10N3 cases, but for now, a single case is not much of a concern.

"As long as avian influenza viruses circulate in poultry, sporadic infection of avian influenza in humans is not surprising, which is a vivid reminder that the threat of an influenza pandemic is persistent," the WHO told Reuters in a statement.

The strain is "not a very common virus," and only around 160 isolates of the virus were reported in the 40 years to 2018, according to Filip Claes, regional laboratory coordinator of the FAO's Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases at the regional office for Asia and the Pacific.

Still,&nbsp;flu&nbsp;viruses can mutate rapidly and mix with other strains circulating on farms or among migratory&nbsp;birds, known as "reassortment," meaning they could make genetic changes that pose a transmission threat to humans. &nbsp; &nbsp;

WHAT DO WE STILL NEED TO KNOW?

The genetic sequence of the virus that infected the patient has not yet been published, and will be needed to fully assess its risk.

Scientists will want to know how easily H10N3 can infect human cells to determine if it could become a greater risk.

For example, the H5N1 variant that first infected people in 1997 has been the most deadly, killing 455 people globally so far.

It would only take a few mutations before the H5N1 variant gains the ability to spread easily from person-to-person, said Ben Cowling, professor at the School of Public Health at the University of Hong Kong, making it a high priority for surveillance.

Having the genetic information for the H10N3 variant would help assess if it was "close to being the type of virus we should be worried about", he said.

A 41-year-old man in China's eastern province of Jiangsu has been confirmed as the first human case of infection with a rare strain of bird flu known as H10N3, Beijing's National Health Commission (NHC) has said.

A 41-year-old man in China's eastern province of Jiangsu has been confirmed as the first human case of infection with a rare strain of bird flu known as H10N3, Beijing's National Health Commission (NHC) has said. The man, a resident of the city of Zhenjiang, was hospitalized on April 28 and diagnosed with H10N3 on May 28, the health commission said on Tuesday, adding that his condition is stable. It did not give details on how the man was infected but said investigation of his close contacts found no other cases and the risk of spread was very low. WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT H10N3? Little is known about the virus, which appears to be rare in birds, according to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), and does not cause severe disease. The World Health Organization (WHO) said while the source of the patient's exposure to the H10N3 virus was not known and no other cases were found among the local population, there was no indication of human-to-human transmission yet. Yet avian influenza viruses that have little impact on birds can be much more serious in people, such as the H7N9 strain that killed almost 300 people in China during the winter of 2016-2017. The WHO has said there had been only rare instances of person-to-person spread of the H7N9 virus. WHAT ARE THE RISKS? The risk of further infection with H10N3 is currently believed to be very low, with experts describing the case as "sporadic". Such cases occur occasionally in China which has huge populations of both farmed and wild birds of many species. And with growing surveillance of avian influenza in the human population, more infections with bird flu viruses are being picked up. In February, Russia reported the first human infection with the H5N8 virus that caused huge damage on poultry farms across Europe, Russia and East Asia last winter. Seven people infected with the virus were asymptomatic, authorities said. Experts will be on alert for any clusters of H10N3 cases, but for now, a single case is not much of a concern. "As long as avian influenza viruses circulate in poultry, sporadic infection of avian influenza in humans is not surprising, which is a vivid reminder that the threat of an influenza pandemic is persistent," the WHO told Reuters in a statement. The strain is "not a very common virus," and only around 160 isolates of the virus were reported in the 40 years to 2018, according to Filip Claes, regional laboratory coordinator of the FAO's Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases at the regional office for Asia and the Pacific. Still, flu viruses can mutate rapidly and mix with other strains circulating on farms or among migratory birds, known as "reassortment," meaning they could make genetic changes that pose a transmission threat to humans. WHAT DO WE STILL NEED TO KNOW? The genetic sequence of the virus that infected the patient has not yet been published, and will be needed to fully assess its risk. Scientists will want to know how easily H10N3 can infect human cells to determine if it could become a greater risk. For example, the H5N1 variant that first infected people in 1997 has been the most deadly, killing 455 people globally so far. It would only take a few mutations before the H5N1 variant gains the ability to spread easily from person-to-person, said Ben Cowling, professor at the School of Public Health at the University of Hong Kong, making it a high priority for surveillance. Having the genetic information for the H10N3 variant would help assess if it was "close to being the type of virus we should be worried about", he said.

China reports first human case of H10N3 bird flu. Here's what we know so far

China has confirmed the world's first human case of a new strain of bird flu after a 41-year-old man was hospitalised with fever. 
 
The National Health Commission of China said on Tuesday that they have found one case of human infection with the H10N3 strain of bird flu in Jiangsu province.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-reports-first-cases-of-h5n8-bird-flu-in-humans-365072">Also read | Russia reports first cases of H5N8 bird flu in humans</a> 
 
The resident of Zhenjiang city was hospitalised on April 28 after developing several symptoms and was diagnosed as having the H10N3 avian influenza virus on May 28, the NHC said in a statement.

The man is stable and ready to be discharged from the hospital.

There has not been any case of human infection of H10N3 reported in the world before, NHC said. 
 
To date, there is no evidence of sustained human-to-human transmission of the avian influenza virus. 
 
The world's first human cases of bird flu were reported in Hong Kong in 1997 when six people were killed by the H5N1 strain of the virus. Hundreds more have died worldwide in subsequent outbreaks, especially of highly virulent strains like H7N9. 
 
Earlier in February this year, Russia had found the world’s first cases of H5N8 avian influenza in humans. The virus, however, isn’t yet spreading among people.

The cases were detected in workers at a poultry farm in southern Russia and were immediately reported to the World Health Organization.

(With inputs from agencies)

China has confirmed the world's first human case of a new strain of bird flu after a 41-year-old man was hospitalised with fever. The National Health Commission of China said on Tuesday that they have found one case of human infection with the H10N3 strain of bird flu in Jiangsu province.

China has confirmed the world's first human case of a new strain of bird flu after a 41-year-old man was hospitalised with fever. The National Health Commission of China said on Tuesday that they have found one case of human infection with the H10N3 strain of bird flu in Jiangsu province. Also read | Russia reports first cases of H5N8 bird flu in humans The resident of Zhenjiang city was hospitalised on April 28 after developing several symptoms and was diagnosed as having the H10N3 avian influenza virus on May 28, the NHC said in a statement. The man is stable and ready to be discharged from the hospital. There has not been any case of human infection of H10N3 reported in the world before, NHC said. To date, there is no evidence of sustained human-to-human transmission of the avian influenza virus. The world's first human cases of bird flu were reported in Hong Kong in 1997 when six people were killed by the H5N1 strain of the virus. Hundreds more have died worldwide in subsequent outbreaks, especially of highly virulent strains like H7N9. Earlier in February this year, Russia had found the world’s first cases of H5N8 avian influenza in humans. The virus, however, isn’t yet spreading among people. The cases were detected in workers at a poultry farm in southern Russia and were immediately reported to the World Health Organization. (With inputs from agencies)

China reports world's first human case of H10N3 avian influenza

Some 77,000 chickens will be culled in the Japanese prefecture of Tochigi due to a new outbreak of highly pathogenic bird flu, Japanese media reported on Saturday.&nbsp;

According to the news, a quarantine zone was established within a three-kilometre (1.9 miles) radius from the affected farm and a ban on the export of eggs and poultry products was introduced within a 10-kilometre range.&nbsp;

In January, the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries said that the new outbreak of avian influenza, which started in November, has broken all records in terms of the number of chickens culled in one season. &nbsp;

Seventeen out of Japan's 47 prefectures were affected by the outbreak. Bird flu outbreaks have also been detected in the prefectures of Chiba, Kagawa, Fukuoka, Hyogo, Miyazaki, Hiroshima, Nara, Oita, Wakayama, Okayama, Shiga, Kochi, Tokushima, Gifu, Kagoshima, Toyama and Ibaraki. &nbsp;

According to the Ministry for Agriculture, some 9.7 million domestic birds have already been exterminated to prevent the spread of the disease. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Some 77,000 chickens will be culled in the Japanese prefecture of Tochigi due to a new outbreak of highly pathogenic bird flu, Japanese media reported on Saturday.

Some 77,000 chickens will be culled in the Japanese prefecture of Tochigi due to a new outbreak of highly pathogenic bird flu, Japanese media reported on Saturday. According to the news, a quarantine zone was established within a three-kilometre (1.9 miles) radius from the affected farm and a ban on the export of eggs and poultry products was introduced within a 10-kilometre range. In January, the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries said that the new outbreak of avian influenza, which started in November, has broken all records in terms of the number of chickens culled in one season. Seventeen out of Japan's 47 prefectures were affected by the outbreak. Bird flu outbreaks have also been detected in the prefectures of Chiba, Kagawa, Fukuoka, Hyogo, Miyazaki, Hiroshima, Nara, Oita, Wakayama, Okayama, Shiga, Kochi, Tokushima, Gifu, Kagoshima, Toyama and Ibaraki. According to the Ministry for Agriculture, some 9.7 million domestic birds have already been exterminated to prevent the spread of the disease. (With inputs from agencies)

Japan to cull 77,000 chickens over new bird flu outbreak in Tochigi 

The risk of human-to-human spread of the H5N8 strain of bird flu appears low after it was identified for the first time worldwide in farm workers in Russia, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has said.

Russia registered the first case of a strain of bird flu virus named influenza A (H5N8) being passed to humans from birds and reported the matter to the WHO.

The death of 101,000 of the farm's 900,000 egg-laying hens in December had sparked the investigation. Seven people in Russia were found to be infected with H5N8, but all were asymptomatic following an outbreak on a poultry farm in the southern oblast (region) of Astrakhan.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-reports-first-cases-of-h5n8-bird-flu-in-humans-365072">Also read |&nbsp;Russia reports first cases of H5N8 bird flu in humans</a>

"All close contacts of these cases were clinically monitored, and no one showed signs of clinical illness," it said. "Based on currently available information, the risk of human-to-human transmission remains low."

The WHO advised against any special traveller screening at points of entry or restrictions on travel and or trade with the Russian Federation.

Outbreaks of the H5N8 strain were reported last year in poultry or wild birds in Britain, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Egypt, Germany, Hungary, Iraq, Japan, Kazakhstan, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania and Russia, according to WHO.

A separate bird flu strain, H1N1, that spread rapidly worldwide among humans led the WHO to declare an influenza pandemic in 2009-2010. The outbreak, however, turned out to be mild among humans.

The risk of human-to-human spread of the H5N8 strain of bird flu appears low after it was identified for the first time worldwide in farm workers in Russia, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has said.

The risk of human-to-human spread of the H5N8 strain of bird flu appears low after it was identified for the first time worldwide in farm workers in Russia, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has said. Russia registered the first case of a strain of bird flu virus named influenza A (H5N8) being passed to humans from birds and reported the matter to the WHO. The death of 101,000 of the farm's 900,000 egg-laying hens in December had sparked the investigation. Seven people in Russia were found to be infected with H5N8, but all were asymptomatic following an outbreak on a poultry farm in the southern oblast (region) of Astrakhan. Also read | Russia reports first cases of H5N8 bird flu in humans "All close contacts of these cases were clinically monitored, and no one showed signs of clinical illness," it said. "Based on currently available information, the risk of human-to-human transmission remains low." The WHO advised against any special traveller screening at points of entry or restrictions on travel and or trade with the Russian Federation. Outbreaks of the H5N8 strain were reported last year in poultry or wild birds in Britain, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Egypt, Germany, Hungary, Iraq, Japan, Kazakhstan, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania and Russia, according to WHO. A separate bird flu strain, H1N1, that spread rapidly worldwide among humans led the WHO to declare an influenza pandemic in 2009-2010. The outbreak, however, turned out to be mild among humans.

Risk of human spread of H5N8 strain of bird flu deemed low, WHO clarifies

Russia has found the world’s first cases of H5N8 avian influenza in humans.

The virus, however, isn’t yet spreading among people.

The cases were detected in workers at a poultry farm in southern Russia, and were immediately reported to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

"Information about the world's first case of transmission of the avian flu (H5N8) to humans has already been sent to the WHO," the head of Russia's health watchdog Rospotrebnadzor, Anna Popova, said in televised remarks.

"It is not transmitted from person to person. But only time will tell how soon future mutations will allow it to overcome this barrier."

The affected workers at the poultry farm, where an outbreak among birds was reported in December, had mild cases and have recovered.

The highly contagious strain is lethal for birds but has never before been reported to have spread to humans.

Popova said that scientists at Russia's Vektor laboratory had isolated genetic material of the strain from seven workers of a poultry farm in southern Russia, where an outbreak was recorded among the birds in December.

Located in Koltsovo outside the Siberian city of Novosibirsk, the Vektor State Virology and Biotechnology Center has developed one of Russia's several coronavirus vaccines.&nbsp;

Russia has found the world’s first cases of H5N8 avian influenza in humans. The virus, however, isn’t yet spreading among people. The cases were detected in workers at a poultry farm in southern Russia, and were immediately reported to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Russia has found the world’s first cases of H5N8 avian influenza in humans. The virus, however, isn’t yet spreading among people. The cases were detected in workers at a poultry farm in southern Russia, and were immediately reported to the World Health Organisation (WHO). "Information about the world's first case of transmission of the avian flu (H5N8) to humans has already been sent to the WHO," the head of Russia's health watchdog Rospotrebnadzor, Anna Popova, said in televised remarks. "It is not transmitted from person to person. But only time will tell how soon future mutations will allow it to overcome this barrier." The affected workers at the poultry farm, where an outbreak among birds was reported in December, had mild cases and have recovered. The highly contagious strain is lethal for birds but has never before been reported to have spread to humans. Popova said that scientists at Russia's Vektor laboratory had isolated genetic material of the strain from seven workers of a poultry farm in southern Russia, where an outbreak was recorded among the birds in December. Located in Koltsovo outside the Siberian city of Novosibirsk, the Vektor State Virology and Biotechnology Center has developed one of Russia's several coronavirus vaccines.

Russia reports first cases of H5N8 bird flu in humans

India's Union Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying said on Saturday that bird flu cases had been found in 13 Indian states. The Avian Influenza has been reported in poultry birds from nine states while in wild birds from 12 states.

As on January 23, outbreaks of Avian Influenza (Bird flu) have been confirmed in nine states (Kerala, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab) for poultry birds and in 12 States (Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Delhi, Rajasthan, Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab) for crow/migratory/wild birds, said the ministry in a statement.

However, crow/pigeon samples submitted from Rudraprayag, Lansdowne Forest Range and Paudi Forest Range of Uttarakhand; pigeon samples from Sriganganagar district of Rajasthan; crow and peacock samples from Fatehpur district of Uttar Pradesh have been found negative for Avian Influenza, the statement added.

Control and Containment is going on in epicentres of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Uttarakhand and Kerala.

Compensation is paid to the farmers whose poultry birds, eggs and poultry feed are culled/disposed of by the state as per the action plan. The Department of Animal Husbandry &amp; Dairying (DAHD) provides funds to states/UTs on a 50:50 sharing basis under ASCAD component of its LH &amp; DC Scheme, said the ministry.

The statement said that all the states are reporting to the department on a daily basis about control measures adopted by them based on the Revised Action Plan for Prevention, Control and Containment of Avian Influenza 2021.

(With agency inputs)

India's Union Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying said on Saturday that bird flu cases had been found in 13 Indian states. The Avian Influenza has been reported in poultry birds from nine states while in wild birds from 12 states.

India's Union Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying said on Saturday that bird flu cases had been found in 13 Indian states. The Avian Influenza has been reported in poultry birds from nine states while in wild birds from 12 states. As on January 23, outbreaks of Avian Influenza (Bird flu) have been confirmed in nine states (Kerala, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab) for poultry birds and in 12 States (Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Delhi, Rajasthan, Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab) for crow/migratory/wild birds, said the ministry in a statement. However, crow/pigeon samples submitted from Rudraprayag, Lansdowne Forest Range and Paudi Forest Range of Uttarakhand; pigeon samples from Sriganganagar district of Rajasthan; crow and peacock samples from Fatehpur district of Uttar Pradesh have been found negative for Avian Influenza, the statement added. Control and Containment is going on in epicentres of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Uttarakhand and Kerala. Compensation is paid to the farmers whose poultry birds, eggs and poultry feed are culled/disposed of by the state as per the action plan. The Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying (DAHD) provides funds to states/UTs on a 50:50 sharing basis under ASCAD component of its LH & DC Scheme, said the ministry. The statement said that all the states are reporting to the department on a daily basis about control measures adopted by them based on the Revised Action Plan for Prevention, Control and Containment of Avian Influenza 2021. (With agency inputs)

Bird Flu cases in 13 Indian states so far, says government

Bird flu outbreak in southwest France "seems under control for now" said top government officials in the region on Thursday. The bird flu outbreak had required culling of hundreds of thousands of ducks in the region.&nbsp;

"If the situation stays the same, we should be able to fully control this outbreak -- though that doesn't mean that we won't have several more weeks of work in front of us," Fabienne Buccio, prefect for the Nouvelle-Aquitaine department, told a briefing in Bordeaux.

As of January 14, more than one million birds, mainly ducks had been culled to stop spread of devastating strain of bird flu.

Officials ordered the massive culls as well as strict travel restrictions and buffer zones around infected sites in the area, a bastion of France's lucrative foie gras industry.

Buccio said the "drastic" measures had proved "appropriate and effective", though she warned that a new surge could not be excluded.

The H5N8 bird flu was first detected on Corsica island &nbsp;in November&nbsp;

Overall 348 infected flocks have been detected -- in the Landes department alone, outbreaks have been discovered at 272 sites out of around 850 in total.

The government has promised compensation for poultry farmers who have already been hit by massive bird flu outbreaks in the winters of 2015-16 and 2016-17.

Besides France and Belgium, the Netherlands, Sweden, Britain and Ireland have also reported bird flu outbreaks since the winter began.

Bird flu outbreak in southwest France "seems under control for now" said top government officials in the region on Thursday. The bird flu outbreak had required culling of hundreds of thousands of ducks in the region.

Bird flu outbreak in southwest France "seems under control for now" said top government officials in the region on Thursday. The bird flu outbreak had required culling of hundreds of thousands of ducks in the region. "If the situation stays the same, we should be able to fully control this outbreak -- though that doesn't mean that we won't have several more weeks of work in front of us," Fabienne Buccio, prefect for the Nouvelle-Aquitaine department, told a briefing in Bordeaux. As of January 14, more than one million birds, mainly ducks had been culled to stop spread of devastating strain of bird flu. Officials ordered the massive culls as well as strict travel restrictions and buffer zones around infected sites in the area, a bastion of France's lucrative foie gras industry. Buccio said the "drastic" measures had proved "appropriate and effective", though she warned that a new surge could not be excluded. The H5N8 bird flu was first detected on Corsica island in November Overall 348 infected flocks have been detected -- in the Landes department alone, outbreaks have been discovered at 272 sites out of around 850 in total. The government has promised compensation for poultry farmers who have already been hit by massive bird flu outbreaks in the winters of 2015-16 and 2016-17. Besides France and Belgium, the Netherlands, Sweden, Britain and Ireland have also reported bird flu outbreaks since the winter began.

Bird flu outbreak in southwest France 'under control', say authorities

Asia's poultry farmers are facing an unprecedented situation. Millions of birds have been culled after a bird flu outbreak.

Gravitas: Asia's bird flu outbreak: Millions of birds culled

The bird flu is a genuine scare for us humans. A bird is now facing a death row- all because of the avian flu.&nbsp;A pigeon named Joe survived a journey of 13,000 kilometres. He took off from the United States of America and travelled across the pacific ocean. He landed in Australia.&nbsp;

A person named Kevin Celli-Bird spotted the bird in Melbourne. &nbsp;He said: "My wife and I were inside and we've got this water feature you can see behind me and this pigeon landed on it, started drinking and had a bit of a wash, then landed on the ground and started moving around pecking. The next day, he was back, it was back, had another drink, walked around the yard, so I actually thought 'well, it belongs to someone'. I could see it had a band. So I came out, managed to pick it up, got the details."

It turned out that Joe is a race pigeon and he is registered to an owner in Montogomery, Alabama. Joe had disappeared from a race on October 29.&nbsp;

Joe's feat has caught the attention of Australian media, however, it also alerted Australian authorities.

They now want to kill Joe as he is being considered a risk to Australia's food security.&nbsp;

The bird flu is forcing authorities to cull birds blindly.&nbsp;

The bird flu is a genuine scare for us humans. A bird is now facing a death row- all because of the avian flu. A pigeon named Joe survived a journey of 13,000 kilometres.

The bird flu is a genuine scare for us humans. A bird is now facing a death row- all because of the avian flu. A pigeon named Joe survived a journey of 13,000 kilometres. He took off from the United States of America and travelled across the pacific ocean. He landed in Australia. A person named Kevin Celli-Bird spotted the bird in Melbourne. He said: "My wife and I were inside and we've got this water feature you can see behind me and this pigeon landed on it, started drinking and had a bit of a wash, then landed on the ground and started moving around pecking. The next day, he was back, it was back, had another drink, walked around the yard, so I actually thought 'well, it belongs to someone'. I could see it had a band. So I came out, managed to pick it up, got the details." It turned out that Joe is a race pigeon and he is registered to an owner in Montogomery, Alabama. Joe had disappeared from a race on October 29. Joe's feat has caught the attention of Australian media, however, it also alerted Australian authorities. They now want to kill Joe as he is being considered a risk to Australia's food security. The bird flu is forcing authorities to cull birds blindly.

Joe, a pigeon who travelled 13,000 kilometers faces death row in Australia

Bird flu cases are growing at an alarming rate in Asia. The continent's poultry farmers are facing an unprecedented situation. Birds are being culled and people are staying away from poultry meat.&nbsp;

It is the worst such outbreak in the region's history. From Japan to India, the deadly virus is affecting birds across farms. Millions of chickens, ducks and turkeys have been culled. Poultry prices have dropped to an all-time low.

And Asia's farmers are staring at an unprecedented crisis. While bird flu is common in Asia during this time mostly due to migratory patterns. New strains of the virus have become more lethal. This makes countries on the flight path especially vulnerable.

In India, at least 10 states have reported cases of bird flu. Over 850 cases of bird deaths have been reported in the national capital. In Rajasthan-- over 4,000 birds died because of the flu. The Uttar Pradesh government has banned poultry from other states till January 24.

In Kerala, tens of thousands of birds were culled last week. Maharashtra has detected avian influenza in crows as well. Chicken prices in India fell almost a third last week. Wary customers have steered clear of meat.

Not just India, Japan too is dealing with its worst outbreak. A quarter of all prefectures are affected. More than 3 million birds have been culled so far. South Korea also dealt with an outbreak at a duck farm. With the virus strain being similar to the one in Japan.

Compulsory flu vaccination for poultry has protected China for now but the virus has still killed wild swans in the country.

Countries like Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia have been spared for now. But continue to face risks due to the movement of goods. What makes the virus even more dangerous is its contagious nature. Infected birds have to be culled to contain the spread. But amid all this- the biggest question is can we consume poultry meat?

According to governments, there is nothing to be worried about. The World Health Organisation says it is safe. That you will be safe if you eat well-cooked meat. However, health experts are not convinced. They are concerned about a species jump. This is when a virus strain moves from one species to another. In this instance -- it could be from birds to human beings.

It has happened once in 1997. While human to human transmission has not been detected yet it cannot be ruled out.

The last time, a virus jumped species tt led to the coronavirus pandemic.

Bird flu cases are growing at an alarming rate in Asia. The continent's poultry farmers are facing an unprecedented situation. Birds are being culled and people are staying away from poultry meat.

Bird flu cases are growing at an alarming rate in Asia. The continent's poultry farmers are facing an unprecedented situation. Birds are being culled and people are staying away from poultry meat. It is the worst such outbreak in the region's history. From Japan to India, the deadly virus is affecting birds across farms. Millions of chickens, ducks and turkeys have been culled. Poultry prices have dropped to an all-time low. And Asia's farmers are staring at an unprecedented crisis. While bird flu is common in Asia during this time mostly due to migratory patterns. New strains of the virus have become more lethal. This makes countries on the flight path especially vulnerable. In India, at least 10 states have reported cases of bird flu. Over 850 cases of bird deaths have been reported in the national capital. In Rajasthan-- over 4,000 birds died because of the flu. The Uttar Pradesh government has banned poultry from other states till January 24. In Kerala, tens of thousands of birds were culled last week. Maharashtra has detected avian influenza in crows as well. Chicken prices in India fell almost a third last week. Wary customers have steered clear of meat. Not just India, Japan too is dealing with its worst outbreak. A quarter of all prefectures are affected. More than 3 million birds have been culled so far. South Korea also dealt with an outbreak at a duck farm. With the virus strain being similar to the one in Japan. Compulsory flu vaccination for poultry has protected China for now but the virus has still killed wild swans in the country. Countries like Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia have been spared for now. But continue to face risks due to the movement of goods. What makes the virus even more dangerous is its contagious nature. Infected birds have to be culled to contain the spread. But amid all this- the biggest question is can we consume poultry meat? According to governments, there is nothing to be worried about. The World Health Organisation says it is safe. That you will be safe if you eat well-cooked meat. However, health experts are not convinced. They are concerned about a species jump. This is when a virus strain moves from one species to another. In this instance -- it could be from birds to human beings. It has happened once in 1997. While human to human transmission has not been detected yet it cannot be ruled out. The last time, a virus jumped species tt led to the coronavirus pandemic.

The next pandemic?: Bird flu spreads like wildfire across Asia

The avian flu has been confirmed in eight states and the national capital. New Delhi's civic body on Wednesday issued an order directing restaurants and eateries not to serve chicken and egg preparations in light of the bird flu outbreak.

The North Delhi Municipal Corporation imposed a ban on sale and storage of poultry or processed chicken meat by shops and restaurants with immediate effect, in view of the bird flu situation in the national capital, according to an official order.

The order issued by the veterinary services department of the NDMC also said that owners of restaurants and hotels will face action if egg-based dishes or poultry meat and other products are served to customers.

The order has been issued in the public interest and should be diligently complied with, it said.

Testing of samples of crows and ducks had confirmed bird flu cases in the national capital on Monday, prompting the Delhi government to impose a ban on the sale of processed and packaged chicken brought from outside the city.

The Ghazipur poultry market has also closed by authorities.

"All meat and poultry shops and meat processing units in areas under the NDMC, are prohibited to sell, store poultry or processed or packaged chicken meat with immediate effect, till further orders," the North Corporation order said.

Several ducks at Sanjay Lake and a large number of crows across various city parks have been found dead in the last one week.

Reports of over 50 bird deaths were received on a helpline of the Delhi government's animal husbandry unit and 18 samples from different parts of the city were sent for avian flu testing on Tuesday, officials had said.

(With inputs from agencies)

The avian flu has been confirmed in eight states and the national capital. New Delhi's civic body on Wednesday issued an order directing restaurants and eateries not to serve chicken and egg preparations in light of the bird flu outbreak.

The avian flu has been confirmed in eight states and the national capital. New Delhi's civic body on Wednesday issued an order directing restaurants and eateries not to serve chicken and egg preparations in light of the bird flu outbreak. The North Delhi Municipal Corporation imposed a ban on sale and storage of poultry or processed chicken meat by shops and restaurants with immediate effect, in view of the bird flu situation in the national capital, according to an official order. The order issued by the veterinary services department of the NDMC also said that owners of restaurants and hotels will face action if egg-based dishes or poultry meat and other products are served to customers. The order has been issued in the public interest and should be diligently complied with, it said. Testing of samples of crows and ducks had confirmed bird flu cases in the national capital on Monday, prompting the Delhi government to impose a ban on the sale of processed and packaged chicken brought from outside the city. The Ghazipur poultry market has also closed by authorities. "All meat and poultry shops and meat processing units in areas under the NDMC, are prohibited to sell, store poultry or processed or packaged chicken meat with immediate effect, till further orders," the North Corporation order said. Several ducks at Sanjay Lake and a large number of crows across various city parks have been found dead in the last one week. Reports of over 50 bird deaths were received on a helpline of the Delhi government's animal husbandry unit and 18 samples from different parts of the city were sent for avian flu testing on Tuesday, officials had said. (With inputs from agencies)

Delhi bird flu: Govt advisory says eat poultry product cooked at high temperature

Testing of eight samples sent to a Bhopal-based laboratory has confirmed bird flu in Delhi, officials said on Monday.

All eight samples -- four from a park in Mayur Vihar Phase 3, three from Sanjay Lake and one from Dwarka -- have been found positive for avian influenza, Dr Rakesh Singh from the animal husbandry unit of the Development Department said.

The report of the test results arrived on Monday morning, he said.

Officials earlier said that around 50 crows had died in Central Park, Mayur Vihar Phase 3 in a span of three to four days.

Ten ducks were found dead in the Sanjay Lake recently.

A few samples were also sent to a lab in Jalandhar. Their results are awaited, Singh said.

The Delhi Development Authority has already closed Hauz Khas Park, Dwarka Sector 9 Park, Hastsal Park and Sanjay Lake as a precautionary measure in view of the bird flu scare.

Hauz Khas Park in south Delhi has a huge water body and attracts a large crowd every day. However, no death of birds has been reported there.

The poultry market in Ghazipur has also been shut down temporarily.

Testing of eight samples sent to a Bhopal-based laboratory has confirmed bird flu in Delhi, officials said on Monday. All eight samples -- four from a park in Mayur Vihar Phase 3, three from Sanjay Lake and one from Dwarka -- have been found positive for avian influenza, Dr Rakesh Singh from the animal husbandry unit of the Development Department said.

Testing of eight samples sent to a Bhopal-based laboratory has confirmed bird flu in Delhi, officials said on Monday. All eight samples -- four from a park in Mayur Vihar Phase 3, three from Sanjay Lake and one from Dwarka -- have been found positive for avian influenza, Dr Rakesh Singh from the animal husbandry unit of the Development Department said. The report of the test results arrived on Monday morning, he said. Officials earlier said that around 50 crows had died in Central Park, Mayur Vihar Phase 3 in a span of three to four days. Ten ducks were found dead in the Sanjay Lake recently. A few samples were also sent to a lab in Jalandhar. Their results are awaited, Singh said. The Delhi Development Authority has already closed Hauz Khas Park, Dwarka Sector 9 Park, Hastsal Park and Sanjay Lake as a precautionary measure in view of the bird flu scare. Hauz Khas Park in south Delhi has a huge water body and attracts a large crowd every day. However, no death of birds has been reported there. The poultry market in Ghazipur has also been shut down temporarily.

Bird flu confirmed in Delhi, all eight samples sent to Bhopal lab test positive

The Centre has directed states and union territories across the country to increase surveillance around water bodies, live bird markets, zoos, and poultry farms as well as strengthen biosecurity at poultry farms amid the bird flu scare. 
 
The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying said in a statement on Sunday that the states and UTs have been asked to increase public awareness and prevent the spread of misinformation on avian influenza or bird flu. 
 
The states and UTs have also been requested to ensure proper disposal of animal/bird carcasses, the statement added. 
 
After the confirmation of avian influenza in samples taken from poultry from two farms in Panchkula district of Haryana, the state had deployed nine rapid response teams and undertaken control and containment operations at both the places, the Ministry added. 
 
Samples of crows/wild birds had confirmed avian influenza (H5) in Surat district of Gujarat as well as Sirohi district in Rajasthan. Further, reports of unusual deaths of 86 crows and 2 egrets were received from Kangra district in Himachal Pradesh. 
 
Reports of unusual mortality of wild birds were also received from Nahan, Bilaspur and Mandi in Himachal and the samples sent to a designated laboratory for testing, the Ministry said. 
 
Advisories have since been issued to the affected states to prevent further spread of the avian disease. So far, the disease has been confirmed from Kerala, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Gujarat, and Uttar Pradesh. 
 
"The test reports of samples sent to the designated laboratory from Delhi and Maharashtra are still awaited. Further, no samples have been confirmed positive for avian flu in wild birds from Balod district in Chhattisgarh," it added. 
 
The control and containment operation has been completed in two affected districts of Kerala and post-operational surveillance programme guidelines issued to the southern state. 
 
The central teams formed to monitor the situation are visiting the affected areas across the country. 
 
One of the central teams visited Kerala on January 9 and is monitoring the epicentre spots and also conducting epidemiological investigations. Another central team visited Himachal on January 10 and undertook a survey in the affected areas.

The Centre has directed states and union territories across the country to increase surveillance around water bodies, live bird markets, zoos, and poultry farms as well as strengthen biosecurity at poultry farms amid the bird flu scare.

The Centre has directed states and union territories across the country to increase surveillance around water bodies, live bird markets, zoos, and poultry farms as well as strengthen biosecurity at poultry farms amid the bird flu scare. The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying said in a statement on Sunday that the states and UTs have been asked to increase public awareness and prevent the spread of misinformation on avian influenza or bird flu. The states and UTs have also been requested to ensure proper disposal of animal/bird carcasses, the statement added. After the confirmation of avian influenza in samples taken from poultry from two farms in Panchkula district of Haryana, the state had deployed nine rapid response teams and undertaken control and containment operations at both the places, the Ministry added. Samples of crows/wild birds had confirmed avian influenza (H5) in Surat district of Gujarat as well as Sirohi district in Rajasthan. Further, reports of unusual deaths of 86 crows and 2 egrets were received from Kangra district in Himachal Pradesh. Reports of unusual mortality of wild birds were also received from Nahan, Bilaspur and Mandi in Himachal and the samples sent to a designated laboratory for testing, the Ministry said. Advisories have since been issued to the affected states to prevent further spread of the avian disease. So far, the disease has been confirmed from Kerala, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Gujarat, and Uttar Pradesh. "The test reports of samples sent to the designated laboratory from Delhi and Maharashtra are still awaited. Further, no samples have been confirmed positive for avian flu in wild birds from Balod district in Chhattisgarh," it added. The control and containment operation has been completed in two affected districts of Kerala and post-operational surveillance programme guidelines issued to the southern state. The central teams formed to monitor the situation are visiting the affected areas across the country. One of the central teams visited Kerala on January 9 and is monitoring the epicentre spots and also conducting epidemiological investigations. Another central team visited Himachal on January 10 and undertook a survey in the affected areas.

Bird flu scare: Centre asks states, UTs to increase surveillance

The Jammu and Kashmir administration has banned the entry of poultry into the union territory following the outbreak of bird flu in neighbouring states.

An order issued by principal secretary, agriculture and animal husbandry department, said, "in the wake of the spread of bird flu in neighbouring states of J&amp;K as a measure of abundant precaution and view of the declaration of whole J&amp;K as 'controlled area' for bird flu disease, the government of UT of J&amp;K imposes complete ban on import of live birds, including poultry and unprocessed poultry meat for any purpose into the union territory of J&amp;K with immediate effect till 14-01-2021."

Although there have been no confirmed cases of bird flu in J&amp;K in the Rajouri district of the Jammu region, several crows were found the dead following which authorities have taken their samples for testing.

Every year thousands of migratory birds from Europe and other parts of the world make Kashmir their home and with the fresh snowfall, experts believe it’s hard for them to find survival food.

“We believe since marshy lands are frozen, waterbodies covered with snow, several migratory birds have moved to states like Punjab which could be troubling because they will return,” said an official adding that a close eye is being kept on the situation.

Experts have told WION that migratory birds cannot be a primary source of infection as they have arrived in September. “But with the snow and cold condition, mixing of these birds with local ducks and geese population in local waterways outside the protected zones can cause havoc among the migratory bird population,” he said adding that “worrying part is the illegal hunting of these birds which can transmit the disease.”

Four states in India have reported the outbreak of bird flu following which the Centre has also asked states to be prepared for any eventuality.

The Jammu and Kashmir administration has banned the entry of poultry into the union territory following the outbreak of bird flu in neighbouring states. An order issued by principal secretary, agriculture and animal husbandry department, said, "in the wake of the spread of bird flu in neighbouring states of J&K as a measure of abundant precaution and view of the declaration of whole J&K as 'controlled area' for bird flu disease, the government of UT of J&K imposes complete ban on import of live birds, including poultry and unprocessed poultry meat for any purpose into the union territory of J&K with immediate effect till 14-01-2021.

The Jammu and Kashmir administration has banned the entry of poultry into the union territory following the outbreak of bird flu in neighbouring states. An order issued by principal secretary, agriculture and animal husbandry department, said, "in the wake of the spread of bird flu in neighbouring states of J&K as a measure of abundant precaution and view of the declaration of whole J&K as 'controlled area' for bird flu disease, the government of UT of J&K imposes complete ban on import of live birds, including poultry and unprocessed poultry meat for any purpose into the union territory of J&K with immediate effect till 14-01-2021." Although there have been no confirmed cases of bird flu in J&K in the Rajouri district of the Jammu region, several crows were found the dead following which authorities have taken their samples for testing. Every year thousands of migratory birds from Europe and other parts of the world make Kashmir their home and with the fresh snowfall, experts believe it’s hard for them to find survival food. “We believe since marshy lands are frozen, waterbodies covered with snow, several migratory birds have moved to states like Punjab which could be troubling because they will return,” said an official adding that a close eye is being kept on the situation. Experts have told WION that migratory birds cannot be a primary source of infection as they have arrived in September. “But with the snow and cold condition, mixing of these birds with local ducks and geese population in local waterways outside the protected zones can cause havoc among the migratory bird population,” he said adding that “worrying part is the illegal hunting of these birds which can transmit the disease.” Four states in India have reported the outbreak of bird flu following which the Centre has also asked states to be prepared for any eventuality.

Bird flu: J&K government bans entry of poultry, experts say situation needs to be monitored

France's agriculture minister warned on Friday that "hundreds of thousands" of ducks would still have to be culled to&nbsp;halt&nbsp;a severe strain of bird&nbsp;flu&nbsp;devastating flocks in southwest&nbsp;France.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/moderna-covid-vaccine-gets-approval-in-uk-355443" hreflang="en">Moderna COVID vaccine gets approval in UK</a>

More&nbsp;than 400,000 ducks have already been slaughtered mainly in the Landes department, a bastion of&nbsp;France's foie gras industry, and at least 200,000&nbsp;more&nbsp;have already been announced.

"There will be hundreds of thousands&nbsp;more, that's certain," Julien Denormandie told&nbsp;France&nbsp;Bleu Gascogne radio ahead of a visit to farms hit by the&nbsp;outbreak, calling it "a race against the clock" against the "highly pathogenic" H5N8 virus.

On Thursday, officials extended the cull of all ducks and geese to within a five-kilometre radius of infected flocks from three, while also requiring additional buffer zones where no poultry could enter.

"It's a drastic move," Denormandie said, adding: "It's clear that we didn't act fast enough."

He acknowledged that he did not know how many ducks would remain among the five million currently being produced in the Landes, but promised that compensation based on their market value would begin to arrive next week.&nbsp;

Foie gras producers fear a repeat of the massive bird&nbsp;flu&nbsp;outbreak&nbsp;that struck in the winter of 2015-16, when&nbsp;more&nbsp;than 25 million ducks were culled. That was followed by an&nbsp;outbreak&nbsp;the next winter that saw 4.5 million ducks killed.

Belgian authorities said Thursday the virus had also been found in three flocks that were culled, and cases have also been reported in Britain, Ireland, the Netherlands and Sweden.

France's agriculture minister warned on Friday that "hundreds of thousands" of ducks would still have to be culled to halt a severe strain of bird flu devastating flocks in southwest France.

France's agriculture minister warned on Friday that "hundreds of thousands" of ducks would still have to be culled to halt a severe strain of bird flu devastating flocks in southwest France. ALSO READ: Moderna COVID vaccine gets approval in UK More than 400,000 ducks have already been slaughtered mainly in the Landes department, a bastion of France's foie gras industry, and at least 200,000 more have already been announced. "There will be hundreds of thousands more, that's certain," Julien Denormandie told France Bleu Gascogne radio ahead of a visit to farms hit by the outbreak, calling it "a race against the clock" against the "highly pathogenic" H5N8 virus. On Thursday, officials extended the cull of all ducks and geese to within a five-kilometre radius of infected flocks from three, while also requiring additional buffer zones where no poultry could enter. "It's a drastic move," Denormandie said, adding: "It's clear that we didn't act fast enough." He acknowledged that he did not know how many ducks would remain among the five million currently being produced in the Landes, but promised that compensation based on their market value would begin to arrive next week. Foie gras producers fear a repeat of the massive bird flu outbreak that struck in the winter of 2015-16, when more than 25 million ducks were culled. That was followed by an outbreak the next winter that saw 4.5 million ducks killed. Belgian authorities said Thursday the virus had also been found in three flocks that were culled, and cases have also been reported in Britain, Ireland, the Netherlands and Sweden.

France braces for more duck slaughters to halt flu outbreak

Bird Flu has got authorities in various Indian states on alert. The country, still battling with coronavirus pandemic clearly does not want another health crisis. Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying has said on Wednesday that avian influenza had been reported from Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, and Kerala at 12 epicentres

Uttar Pradesh

Nine crows were found dead in Uttar Pradesh's Sonbhadra district, amid cases of avian influenza in neighbouring Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, but officials said it seems like the birds died due to cold.

The deaths were reported on Wednesday evening from the Dala area of the district and samples taken from two of the birds have been sent to a lab in Bhopal for testing, Chief Veterinary Officer, Sonbhadra, A K Srivastava said on Thursday.

Expert teams have been formed to inspect poultry farms and wetlands in Gautam Buddh Nagar (Noida), District Magistrate Suhas L Y said on Thursday, cautioning people not to fall for social media rumours regarding bird flu. The district magistrate had on Wednesday also held a meeting with senior administration, veterinary, forest and health officials to review the avian influenza situation.

Suhas said he has directed departments concerned to gear up to deal with any situation and follow the guidelines and alerts being issued by the Centre and the state government.

"There is no case (of bird flu) here yet and these measures are being put in place as a precaution," he told reporters.

Karnataka

Amid the scare of bird flu in the country, six crows have died in Karnataka`s Dakshina Kannada district and their samples have been sent for testing. State Health Minister Dr K Sudhakar said the government has taken all safety measures and there is no need to panic.&nbsp; 
"Six crows died in Dakshina Kannada district, samples sent for testing. Precautionary measures have been taken in border districts to prevent bird flu," Sudhakar said.

The minister asserted: "We should not spread unnecessary panic as lakhs of students are attending schools. The government has taken all safety measures."

Madhya Pradesh

In view of the bird flu outbreak, the Madhya Pradesh government has banned chicken trade with southern states for next 10 days.&nbsp; 
"We are keeping an eye on bird flu and have issued the guideline for poultry farms. We have banned the supply of chicken from the southern states to Madhya Pradesh for the next 10 days. We are taking precautions," Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan told media

Maharashtra

After many states reported cases of bird flu, the Maharashtra government has issued a red alert in the state and asked the district officials to keep a strict vigil, said state`s Animal Husbandry Minister Sunil Kedar on Thursday.Speaking to ANI, Kedar informed that till today no case of bird flu has been reported in Maharashtra."

Gujarat

Four crows were found dead in Gujarat's Mehsana district on Thursday, amid an alert sounded in the state in view of the bird flu cases emerging in some other parts of the country, officials said.

The crows were found dead in the premises of the famous Sun Temple in Modhera village of Mehsana.

The carcasses have been sent to a Bhopal-based laboratory to check if they died due to bird flu or some other reason, Mehsana's animal husbandry officer Dr Bharat Desai told PTI.

 
Kerala

A three-member central team arrived in Kerala on Thursday to assess the situation arising out of outbreak of bird flu in Alappuzha and Kottayam districts, official sources said.

The team comprising Union Health Ministry's public health specialist Dr Ruchi Jain, Pune National Institute of Virology scientist Dr Shailesh Pawar and Delhi RML Hospital physician Dr Anith Jindal held discussions with district authorities at the collectoratehere, they said.

The state governments in Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Punjab have said that no case of bird flu has been detected in their respective state so far. However, the governments are taking all precautionary measures to deal with any possible outbreak.

Bird Flu has got authorities in various Indian states on alert. The country, still battling with coronavirus pandemic clearly does not want another health crisis.

Bird Flu has got authorities in various Indian states on alert. The country, still battling with coronavirus pandemic clearly does not want another health crisis. Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying has said on Wednesday that avian influenza had been reported from Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, and Kerala at 12 epicentres Uttar Pradesh Nine crows were found dead in Uttar Pradesh's Sonbhadra district, amid cases of avian influenza in neighbouring Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, but officials said it seems like the birds died due to cold. The deaths were reported on Wednesday evening from the Dala area of the district and samples taken from two of the birds have been sent to a lab in Bhopal for testing, Chief Veterinary Officer, Sonbhadra, A K Srivastava said on Thursday. Expert teams have been formed to inspect poultry farms and wetlands in Gautam Buddh Nagar (Noida), District Magistrate Suhas L Y said on Thursday, cautioning people not to fall for social media rumours regarding bird flu. The district magistrate had on Wednesday also held a meeting with senior administration, veterinary, forest and health officials to review the avian influenza situation. Suhas said he has directed departments concerned to gear up to deal with any situation and follow the guidelines and alerts being issued by the Centre and the state government. "There is no case (of bird flu) here yet and these measures are being put in place as a precaution," he told reporters. Karnataka Amid the scare of bird flu in the country, six crows have died in Karnataka`s Dakshina Kannada district and their samples have been sent for testing. State Health Minister Dr K Sudhakar said the government has taken all safety measures and there is no need to panic. "Six crows died in Dakshina Kannada district, samples sent for testing. Precautionary measures have been taken in border districts to prevent bird flu," Sudhakar said. The minister asserted: "We should not spread unnecessary panic as lakhs of students are attending schools. The government has taken all safety measures." Madhya Pradesh In view of the bird flu outbreak, the Madhya Pradesh government has banned chicken trade with southern states for next 10 days. "We are keeping an eye on bird flu and have issued the guideline for poultry farms. We have banned the supply of chicken from the southern states to Madhya Pradesh for the next 10 days. We are taking precautions," Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan told media Maharashtra After many states reported cases of bird flu, the Maharashtra government has issued a red alert in the state and asked the district officials to keep a strict vigil, said state`s Animal Husbandry Minister Sunil Kedar on Thursday.Speaking to ANI, Kedar informed that till today no case of bird flu has been reported in Maharashtra." Gujarat Four crows were found dead in Gujarat's Mehsana district on Thursday, amid an alert sounded in the state in view of the bird flu cases emerging in some other parts of the country, officials said. The crows were found dead in the premises of the famous Sun Temple in Modhera village of Mehsana. The carcasses have been sent to a Bhopal-based laboratory to check if they died due to bird flu or some other reason, Mehsana's animal husbandry officer Dr Bharat Desai told PTI. Kerala A three-member central team arrived in Kerala on Thursday to assess the situation arising out of outbreak of bird flu in Alappuzha and Kottayam districts, official sources said. The team comprising Union Health Ministry's public health specialist Dr Ruchi Jain, Pune National Institute of Virology scientist Dr Shailesh Pawar and Delhi RML Hospital physician Dr Anith Jindal held discussions with district authorities at the collectoratehere, they said. The state governments in Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Punjab have said that no case of bird flu has been detected in their respective state so far. However, the governments are taking all precautionary measures to deal with any possible outbreak.

Bird Flu: Indian states on alert, take precautionary measures

Bird flu has spread to 13 countries, including India. It has a mortality rate of 60% in humans. Does the growing number of cases mean you should stop eating eggs and chicken?

Gravitas: Bird flu scare in India, Europe and Japan

Numerous cases of bird flu had been reported across India, Europe Japan and South Korea. So is this the start of another Pandemic? Here the report.

Bird flu has been reported in different parts of the World, So is this the start of another pandemic?

After Indore, bird flu has been confirmed as the cause of mass death of crows in Mandsaur and Agar Malwa districts of Madhya Pradesh, an official said on Tuesday.

Presence of H5N8 virus (a variant of avian influenza or bird flu) was found in the carcasses of crows in Mandsaur and Agar Malwa districts, he said, citing test results of samples sent for laboratory analysis.

A total of 155 dead crows in Indore have been found with the H5N8 virus since the pathogen was first detected in the commercial city a week back.

Since 23 December, 2020, about 400 avian deaths were reported across 10 districts of Madhya Pradesh, said the Public Relations Department official.

The bird flu has been confirmed in the dead crows in Indore, Mandsaur and Agar Malwa districts, he said.

Apart from these three districts, the samples of dead avians were collected from Ujjain, Sehore, Dewas, Guna, Shajapur, Khargone and Neemuch districts and sent to the National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD) in Bhopal for testing, the official said.

However, the state government says eating well cooked chicken and egg is not a threat to human health.

The bird flu virus has not been found in roosters yet.

Earlier in the day, Veterinary Department Deputy Director Pramod Sharma said that 155 crows were detected with H5N8 virus in the Residency area of Indore in the last eight days.

He said the presence of bird flu was first detected in Indore on 29 December when about 50 crows were found dead in Daly College campus in the Residency area.

On Monday, the government sounded a bird flu alert across Madhya Pradesh.

An official had said that besides Indore, 100 crows were found dead in Mandsaur, 112 in Agar Malwa, 13 in Khargone and nine in Sehore district.

After Indore, bird flu has been confirmed as the cause of mass death of crows in Mandsaur and Agar Malwa districts of Madhya Pradesh, an official said on Tuesday.

After Indore, bird flu has been confirmed as the cause of mass death of crows in Mandsaur and Agar Malwa districts of Madhya Pradesh, an official said on Tuesday. Presence of H5N8 virus (a variant of avian influenza or bird flu) was found in the carcasses of crows in Mandsaur and Agar Malwa districts, he said, citing test results of samples sent for laboratory analysis. A total of 155 dead crows in Indore have been found with the H5N8 virus since the pathogen was first detected in the commercial city a week back. Since 23 December, 2020, about 400 avian deaths were reported across 10 districts of Madhya Pradesh, said the Public Relations Department official. The bird flu has been confirmed in the dead crows in Indore, Mandsaur and Agar Malwa districts, he said. Apart from these three districts, the samples of dead avians were collected from Ujjain, Sehore, Dewas, Guna, Shajapur, Khargone and Neemuch districts and sent to the National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD) in Bhopal for testing, the official said. However, the state government says eating well cooked chicken and egg is not a threat to human health. The bird flu virus has not been found in roosters yet. Earlier in the day, Veterinary Department Deputy Director Pramod Sharma said that 155 crows were detected with H5N8 virus in the Residency area of Indore in the last eight days. He said the presence of bird flu was first detected in Indore on 29 December when about 50 crows were found dead in Daly College campus in the Residency area. On Monday, the government sounded a bird flu alert across Madhya Pradesh. An official had said that besides Indore, 100 crows were found dead in Mandsaur, 112 in Agar Malwa, 13 in Khargone and nine in Sehore district.

Bird flu confirmed in dead crows found in Madhya Pradesh’s Mandsaur and Agar Malwa districts 

Numerous cases of bird flu have been reported across India, Europe, Japan and South Korea. Over four lakh poultry have died in India alone. At least 200,000 ducks have been culled in France. Bird flu can jump from birds to humans. The mortality rate- is 60 per cent.

Less than a week into 2021. And we have another health scare. Another Zoonotic virus.

Bird flu.

Over 4 lakh birds have died in India. 20% per cent of Japan's prefectures have been hit. 200,000 ducks have been culled in France. 62,000 poultry are in line in Germany.

"You can't fight against a speed of virus like that by acting eight days late, it's not possible. So to go to war without a weapon, it causes damage, it causes carnage and we are now witnessing it," said Maryline Beyris, a French duck breeder.

Bird Flu spells disaster for breeders.

What is bird flu?

Here's what know about bird flu. It is a respiratory disease in birds. Bird flu is caused by influenza type viruses. It mostly affects poultry birds like chicken, Ducks and Turkey.

It has many strains, and it is highly contagious.

A quick history

Bird flu has been around in poultry for decades. It jumped to humans in 1997. It was contained, then it re-emerged. WHO says that all infections in humans have been associated with close contact with infected birds-living or dead.

Human to human transmission has not been established yet.

But here's the scary part, there is a 60 per cent chance that a person infected with bird flu may die.

How do you know if a person is infected with bird flu?

He or she may have a fever, cough, sore throat and muscle aches. Early symptoms include abdominal pain, chest pain and Diarrhoea.

The person may even have difficulty breathing or experience shortness of breath. He may also experience neurological changes like seizures

How can bird flu be prevented?

Carnage may be the only option. In India, at least 6 states have reported cases of Bird Flu. Crows have been infected in Rajasthan, At least 625 birds have died so far. There's been mass death of crows in Madhya Pradesh too.

In Himachal Pradesh, migratory birds have been found dead, mostly bar-headed geese.

In Kerala- at least 1,700 ducks have died. Bird flu deaths have been reported in Haryana and Uttarakhand too.

India is not the only country reporting such cases. Japan is recording its worst Bird Flu outbreak. Reports say that the infection has reached 20 per cent of its prefectures. Bird flu has also hit 10 European countries namely the Netherlands, Germany, France, Belgium, The UK, Denmark, Sweden, Poland, Croatia and Ukraine.

In Germany, at least 62,000 Turkeys and Ducks are in line for being culled in Cloppenburg. The region is one of Germany's leading poultry production areas. Authorities in neighbouring France say that the situation is worrying. At least 200,000 ducks have been slaughtered. 400,000 more are in line. The economic implication could go up to millions. China has already suspended imports of poultry for France.

The question creating the most drama is this-

Is it safe to eat poultry products? The WHO says yes.

"It is safe to eat properly prepared and cooked poultry and game birds" it says.

But who can force someone to eat eggs and Chicken amidst an outbreak?

The virus has already reached over 13 countries. Winter migration puts more countries at risk. This is an explosive situation for breeders already reeling under the Wuhan virus pandemic.

For others- the bird flu evokes just one question

Is this the start of another pandemic?

Numerous cases of bird flu have been reported across India, Europe, Japan and South Korea. Over four lakh poultry have died in India alone. At least 200,000 ducks have been culled in France.

Numerous cases of bird flu have been reported across India, Europe, Japan and South Korea. Over four lakh poultry have died in India alone. At least 200,000 ducks have been culled in France. Bird flu can jump from birds to humans. The mortality rate- is 60 per cent. Less than a week into 2021. And we have another health scare. Another Zoonotic virus. Bird flu. Over 4 lakh birds have died in India. 20% per cent of Japan's prefectures have been hit. 200,000 ducks have been culled in France. 62,000 poultry are in line in Germany. "You can't fight against a speed of virus like that by acting eight days late, it's not possible. So to go to war without a weapon, it causes damage, it causes carnage and we are now witnessing it," said Maryline Beyris, a French duck breeder. Bird Flu spells disaster for breeders. What is bird flu? Here's what know about bird flu. It is a respiratory disease in birds. Bird flu is caused by influenza type viruses. It mostly affects poultry birds like chicken, Ducks and Turkey. It has many strains, and it is highly contagious. A quick history Bird flu has been around in poultry for decades. It jumped to humans in 1997. It was contained, then it re-emerged. WHO says that all infections in humans have been associated with close contact with infected birds-living or dead. Human to human transmission has not been established yet. But here's the scary part, there is a 60 per cent chance that a person infected with bird flu may die. How do you know if a person is infected with bird flu? He or she may have a fever, cough, sore throat and muscle aches. Early symptoms include abdominal pain, chest pain and Diarrhoea. The person may even have difficulty breathing or experience shortness of breath. He may also experience neurological changes like seizures How can bird flu be prevented? Carnage may be the only option. In India, at least 6 states have reported cases of Bird Flu. Crows have been infected in Rajasthan, At least 625 birds have died so far. There's been mass death of crows in Madhya Pradesh too. In Himachal Pradesh, migratory birds have been found dead, mostly bar-headed geese. In Kerala- at least 1,700 ducks have died. Bird flu deaths have been reported in Haryana and Uttarakhand too. India is not the only country reporting such cases. Japan is recording its worst Bird Flu outbreak. Reports say that the infection has reached 20 per cent of its prefectures. Bird flu has also hit 10 European countries namely the Netherlands, Germany, France, Belgium, The UK, Denmark, Sweden, Poland, Croatia and Ukraine. In Germany, at least 62,000 Turkeys and Ducks are in line for being culled in Cloppenburg. The region is one of Germany's leading poultry production areas. Authorities in neighbouring France say that the situation is worrying. At least 200,000 ducks have been slaughtered. 400,000 more are in line. The economic implication could go up to millions. China has already suspended imports of poultry for France. The question creating the most drama is this- Is it safe to eat poultry products? The WHO says yes. "It is safe to eat properly prepared and cooked poultry and game birds" it says. But who can force someone to eat eggs and Chicken amidst an outbreak? The virus has already reached over 13 countries. Winter migration puts more countries at risk. This is an explosive situation for breeders already reeling under the Wuhan virus pandemic. For others- the bird flu evokes just one question Is this the start of another pandemic?

Bird Flu triggers worries of another pandemic

Tens of thousands of poultry will be slaughtered in India after an outbreak of deadly avian influenza was found to have killed scores of birds across the country, officials said Tuesday.

At least six Indian states have stepped up efforts to contain two strains of<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/1800-migratory-birds-die-due-to-avian-flu-outbreak-in-himachal-pradesh-354508"> bird flu</a> -- H5N1 and H5N8 -- in recent days after the deaths of thousands of migratory birds, ducks, crows and chickens.

H5N8, an Avian influenza subtype among poultry and wild birds, has spread across several countries since early last year.

Officials in northern Himachal Pradesh state said carcasses were found over the past week at a Himalayan lake that witnesses large flocks of migratory birds during the winter season.

"The death toll in the last week or so at the Pong lake crossed 2,400 migratory birds. Over 600 birds died on Monday," state wildlife chief Archana Sharma told AFP.

Samples sent to the Indian National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases tested positive for H5N1, officials added.

Most of the dead were Central Asian high-altitude bar-headed geese -- one of the world's highest flying birds -- that migrate to South Asia in their thousands during the winter season.

Local authorities have banned the sale and export of poultry in the region and have stepped-up testing to control the spread.

The mass deaths came amid a cull of nearly 35,000 poultry in southern Kerala state, where an H5N8 virus outbreak killed up to 12,000 ducks.

Authorities said the slaughter was ordered within a one kilometre (0.6 mile) radius of the infection epicentre.

In northern Haryana state authorities said nearly 150,000 chickens died mysteriously across several poultry farms in Barwala district. Neighbouring Punjab also reported similar deaths.

More than 20 farms said their flocks were wiped out by an "unknown disease" and samples have been sent to labs for testing.

Western Rajasthan and central Madhya Pradesh states have also reported hundreds of crow deaths caused by H5N1 and H5N8 over past weeks.&nbsp;

Rajasthan had already seen nearly 4,500 crows and herons die over several months from avian flu.

India has witnessed bouts of devastating bird flu outbreaks in recent decades, most seriously in 2008, when millions of poultry were culled.

Tens of thousands of poultry will be slaughtered in India after an outbreak of deadly avian influenza was found to have killed scores of birds across the country, officials said Tuesday.

Tens of thousands of poultry will be slaughtered in India after an outbreak of deadly avian influenza was found to have killed scores of birds across the country, officials said Tuesday. At least six Indian states have stepped up efforts to contain two strains of bird flu -- H5N1 and H5N8 -- in recent days after the deaths of thousands of migratory birds, ducks, crows and chickens. H5N8, an Avian influenza subtype among poultry and wild birds, has spread across several countries since early last year. Officials in northern Himachal Pradesh state said carcasses were found over the past week at a Himalayan lake that witnesses large flocks of migratory birds during the winter season. "The death toll in the last week or so at the Pong lake crossed 2,400 migratory birds. Over 600 birds died on Monday," state wildlife chief Archana Sharma told AFP. Samples sent to the Indian National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases tested positive for H5N1, officials added. Most of the dead were Central Asian high-altitude bar-headed geese -- one of the world's highest flying birds -- that migrate to South Asia in their thousands during the winter season. Local authorities have banned the sale and export of poultry in the region and have stepped-up testing to control the spread. The mass deaths came amid a cull of nearly 35,000 poultry in southern Kerala state, where an H5N8 virus outbreak killed up to 12,000 ducks. Authorities said the slaughter was ordered within a one kilometre (0.6 mile) radius of the infection epicentre. In northern Haryana state authorities said nearly 150,000 chickens died mysteriously across several poultry farms in Barwala district. Neighbouring Punjab also reported similar deaths. More than 20 farms said their flocks were wiped out by an "unknown disease" and samples have been sent to labs for testing. Western Rajasthan and central Madhya Pradesh states have also reported hundreds of crow deaths caused by H5N1 and H5N8 over past weeks. Rajasthan had already seen nearly 4,500 crows and herons die over several months from avian flu. India has witnessed bouts of devastating bird flu outbreaks in recent decades, most seriously in 2008, when millions of poultry were culled.

Thousands of birds to be culled over avian flu outbreak in India

Japan has detected a new outbreak of bird flu on a chicken farm in southwestern Fukuoka prefecture. Watch this video to know more.

Bird flu spreads to a quarter of Japan's prefectures

As the bird flu outbreak in Japan worsened, more than 2 million birds have been culled so far as officials fear virus transmission to humans like novel coronavirus.&nbsp;

On Thursday, two more prefectures in Japan slaughtered chickens as the highly pathogenic H5 subtype has spread to the nation's eight prefectures out of 47.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bird-flu-in-europe-mass-culling-of-chickens-underway-to-stop-outbreak-345556">Bird flu in Europe: Mass culling of chickens underway to stop outbreak</a>

The officials are concerned about the virus transmitting into human beings as it is not possible to detect the flu from eggs or chickens of infected birds.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/dutch-cull-almost-200000-chickens-after-bird-flu-outbreak-344695#:~:text=Authorities%20in%20The%20Netherlands%20have,at%20least%20two%20poultry%20farms.&amp;text=In%20both%20cases%20%22a%20highly,said%20Sunday%20in%20a%20statement.">Dutch cull almost 200,000 chickens after bird flu outbreak</a>

Japan's government on Wednesday ordered the disinfection of poultry farms across the country to contain the spread of the virus, national broadcaster NHK said.

"The need for vigilance is stronger than in usual years," said chief government spokesman Katsunobu Kato as quoted by NHK. &nbsp;

So far, 2.36 chickens have been culled, which surpasses the previous record in 2010 when 1.83 million birds were butchered.&nbsp;

The deadly flu has also been spreading rapidly in Europe, which can make the crisis worse amid the struggle with the coronavirus pandemic.&nbsp;

Japan has already banned imports from seven countries that include Germany.&nbsp;

Last week, in Japan's neighbour South Korea, 2.36 chickens and ducks were slaughtered as it grapples with the virus's outbreak. 
&nbsp;

As the bird flu outbreak in Japan worsened, more than 2 million birds have been culled so far as officials fear virus transmission to humans like novel coronavirus.

As the bird flu outbreak in Japan worsened, more than 2 million birds have been culled so far as officials fear virus transmission to humans like novel coronavirus. On Thursday, two more prefectures in Japan slaughtered chickens as the highly pathogenic H5 subtype has spread to the nation's eight prefectures out of 47. Also read | Bird flu in Europe: Mass culling of chickens underway to stop outbreak The officials are concerned about the virus transmitting into human beings as it is not possible to detect the flu from eggs or chickens of infected birds. Also read | Dutch cull almost 200,000 chickens after bird flu outbreak Japan's government on Wednesday ordered the disinfection of poultry farms across the country to contain the spread of the virus, national broadcaster NHK said. "The need for vigilance is stronger than in usual years," said chief government spokesman Katsunobu Kato as quoted by NHK. So far, 2.36 chickens have been culled, which surpasses the previous record in 2010 when 1.83 million birds were butchered. The deadly flu has also been spreading rapidly in Europe, which can make the crisis worse amid the struggle with the coronavirus pandemic. Japan has already banned imports from seven countries that include Germany. Last week, in Japan's neighbour South Korea, 2.36 chickens and ducks were slaughtered as it grapples with the virus's outbreak.

Bird flu outbreak in Japan worsens, over 2 million chickens culled

South Korea has confirmed this year's first case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI) among domestic poultry.

The agriculture ministry on Saturday said a virus detected from ducks at a farm in Jeongeup, a North Jeolla Province city about 290 kilometers south of Seoul, in a pre-shipment test has been confirmed as the highly pathogenic bird flu of the H5N8 strain.

This test was carried out on Thursday.

The ministry added that an urgent response team was sent to the farm that houses about 19,000 ducks, and all of the birds were culled. There are six other poultry farms within a radius of three kilometers (1.9 miles) from the farm.

H5N8 is the same subtype of AI detected from among wild birds here this year. It is the first time in about two years and eight months that the highly pathogenic bird flu has broken out at a local poultry farm.

The authorities have issued an order to stop any activities at poultry and livestock facilities, as well as the movement of poultry products across the country for 48 hours, while for poultry farms in Jeongeup, the blockage will last seven days, and for farms within a radius of 10 kilometers from the site of the outbreak 30 days.&nbsp;

The national alert level over the spread of bird flu has been raised to a "serious hazard."

Meanwhile, the South Korean Yonhap news agency reported that, as a preemptive measure, the province's government would cull about 392,000 chickens and ducks at farms located within three kilometers of the Jeongeup duck farm.

South Korea has confirmed this year's first case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI) among domestic poultry. The agriculture ministry on Saturday said a virus detected from ducks at a farm in Jeongeup, a North Jeolla Province city about 290 kilometers south of Seoul, in a pre-shipment test has been confirmed as the highly pathogenic bird flu of the H5N8 strain.

South Korea has confirmed this year's first case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI) among domestic poultry. The agriculture ministry on Saturday said a virus detected from ducks at a farm in Jeongeup, a North Jeolla Province city about 290 kilometers south of Seoul, in a pre-shipment test has been confirmed as the highly pathogenic bird flu of the H5N8 strain. This test was carried out on Thursday. The ministry added that an urgent response team was sent to the farm that houses about 19,000 ducks, and all of the birds were culled. There are six other poultry farms within a radius of three kilometers (1.9 miles) from the farm. H5N8 is the same subtype of AI detected from among wild birds here this year. It is the first time in about two years and eight months that the highly pathogenic bird flu has broken out at a local poultry farm. The authorities have issued an order to stop any activities at poultry and livestock facilities, as well as the movement of poultry products across the country for 48 hours, while for poultry farms in Jeongeup, the blockage will last seven days, and for farms within a radius of 10 kilometers from the site of the outbreak 30 days. The national alert level over the spread of bird flu has been raised to a "serious hazard." Meanwhile, the South Korean Yonhap news agency reported that, as a preemptive measure, the province's government would cull about 392,000 chickens and ducks at farms located within three kilometers of the Jeongeup duck farm.

South Korea confirms this year's first case of bird flu among poultry

Europe is preparing to battle a new outbreak of Bird Flu. 9 European Nations have reported 300 cases of H5N8 in 30 days. Has the virus spread beyond Europe's borders? Can it be transmitted to Humans?

Gravitas: Europe battles new outbreak of Bird Flu

European countries are rushing to contain spread of Bird Flu as the continent continues to battle coronavirus pandemic. Thousands of chickens are being culled in several countries. Public Health England (PHE) has said that H5N8 strain of the bird flu is unlikely to risk public health but precautions are being taken across the continent.

An outbreak of H5N8 avian influenza was reported on a farm in northern Croatia, the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) said on Wednesday.

The outbreak in the Koprivnicko-Krizevacka county killed 4,315 birds, the OIE said, quoting information from Croatia's agriculture ministry.

Poland will cull over 900,000 hens in a farm in western Poland due to a bird flu outbreak which was discovered on Tuesday evening, state news agency PAP quoted local veterinary authorities as saying.

The H5N8 bird flu outbreak in the village of Wroniawy is the 33rd one in Poland this year, said PAP citing the Chief Veterinary Inspectorate data.

"It is a farm of 930,000 laying hens. ... A canal runs behind the farm, there are also fields nearby, with geese and other wild birds," PAP quoted local veterinary authorities as saying. It added that the cull will start on Thursday and may continue for up to six days.

Poland's Chief Veterinary Inspectorate and local veterinary services were not immediately available to comment.

Risk to humans from the disease is considered low, but past outbreaks among farm birds have required extensive slaughtering programmes to contain them.

On last Sunday, almost 200,000 chickens were culled in the Netherlands.

(With Agency&nbsp;inputs)

European countries are rushing to contain spread of Bird Flu as the continent continues to battle coronavirus pandemic. Thousands of chickens are being culled in several countries.

European countries are rushing to contain spread of Bird Flu as the continent continues to battle coronavirus pandemic. Thousands of chickens are being culled in several countries. Public Health England (PHE) has said that H5N8 strain of the bird flu is unlikely to risk public health but precautions are being taken across the continent. An outbreak of H5N8 avian influenza was reported on a farm in northern Croatia, the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) said on Wednesday. The outbreak in the Koprivnicko-Krizevacka county killed 4,315 birds, the OIE said, quoting information from Croatia's agriculture ministry. Poland will cull over 900,000 hens in a farm in western Poland due to a bird flu outbreak which was discovered on Tuesday evening, state news agency PAP quoted local veterinary authorities as saying. The H5N8 bird flu outbreak in the village of Wroniawy is the 33rd one in Poland this year, said PAP citing the Chief Veterinary Inspectorate data. "It is a farm of 930,000 laying hens. ... A canal runs behind the farm, there are also fields nearby, with geese and other wild birds," PAP quoted local veterinary authorities as saying. It added that the cull will start on Thursday and may continue for up to six days. Poland's Chief Veterinary Inspectorate and local veterinary services were not immediately available to comment. Risk to humans from the disease is considered low, but past outbreaks among farm birds have required extensive slaughtering programmes to contain them. On last Sunday, almost 200,000 chickens were culled in the Netherlands. (With Agency inputs)

Bird flu in Europe: Mass culling of chickens underway to stop outbreak

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