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Bird Flu Spreads: Crows Die in Bihar's Bhagalpur & Purnia
8 Mar
Summary
- H5N1 avian influenza confirmed in dead crows in Bihar.
- Bhagalpur and Purnia districts are the latest affected areas.
- Containment measures include fogging and sanitization drives.

Fresh cases of H5N1 avian influenza have been confirmed in crows found dead in Bihar's Bhagalpur and Purnia districts. These new detections bring the total number of affected districts in the state to six. Officials reported that samples sent for testing from both districts, where approximately 50 crows were found dead, have confirmed the presence of the H5N1 virus.
Sultanganj block in Bhagalpur and Banmankhi in Purnia are the latest areas to report the outbreak. This follows earlier cases in Bhagalpur's Naugachhia block and other districts like Darbhanga, Katihar, Patna, and Bettiah in West Champaran, which have collectively reported over 400 crow deaths since January 28.
As part of containment protocols, authorities will conduct intensive fogging and sanitization drives within a 1-km radius of affected locations using antiviral agents. The virus's spread to poultry birds had previously led to the culling of approximately 5,000 birds in Patna. The state government has also eased restrictions, lifting the ban on visitors to Patna zoo, which had been temporarily closed as a precautionary measure.



