Centre steps in as bird flu probe widens in Chhattisgarh's Bilaspur; curbs hit poultry trade

RAIPUR: The Centre has stepped into the bird flu outbreak in Chhattisgarh’s Bilaspur, with a multi-disciplinary expert team launching a ground assessment even as containment measures continue to disrupt the local poultry economy with extended curbs expected.A four-member team from AIIMS and the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) on Monday and Tuesday inspected key facilities, including the collectorate control room for bird flu, CIMS hospital and the govt poultry farm in Koni, where avian influenza (H5N1) was confirmed last month following large-scale poultry deaths.The outbreak, detected between March 19 and 24, triggered culling of infected birds, disinfection drives and movement restrictions, with authorities declaring an infected zone and a wider surveillance belt to prevent spillover.Officials said the central team examined sanitation and biosecurity measures at the Koni farm and sought details from the animal husbandry department on the source of infection, which remains unclear. As part of containment, infected birds, hatchlings, feedstock and other contaminated material were destroyed.The team also reviewed healthcare preparedness at CIMS, including microbiology facilities, isolation wards, ventilator support and bed capacity.

Hospital records of suspected patients were scrutinized. So far, no human infection has been reported, with samples from farm workers and other contacts testing negative.On Tuesday, surveillance expanded beyond the epicenter, with health screening and sample collection underway in villages such as Akaltari, Khaira and Nagoi within a 10-km radius. Teams are also interacting with residents in nearby urban localities to monitor symptoms and assess exposure risks.The district administration has imposed a ban on sale, purchase and transport of poultry products within the restricted zone, while monitoring continues in surrounding areas.However, the prolonged curbs have severely impacted livelihoods. More than 200 chicken shops in and around Bilaspur remain shut, affecting hundreds of families dependent on the trade. Poultry traders and shop owners gathered at the collectorate, submitting a memorandum seeking permission to reopen businesses.The Bilaspur poultry association said it had complied with all directives and that health checks of workers in the affected areas had not revealed any infection so far. They have also demanded relocation of the govt poultry farm away from densely populated areas to reduce future risk.Collector Sanjay Agrawal assured traders that their concerns are being considered but said any decision on lifting restrictions would depend on the report of the central team.Even as Kanan Pendari zoo has been reopened with precautionary sanitization measures, authorities said public health remains the top priority. With surveillance ongoing and economic distress mounting, the district now awaits the Centre’s assessment to determine the next course of action.