Bird Flu Outbreak in Maharashtra: Over 6,000 Chickens Died in Poultry Farm Due to H5N1 Virus in Washim

At least 6,831 chickens died at a poultry farm in Kherda village of Washim district of Maharashtra due to Bird Flu virus. Lab tests on February 27, confirmed the deaths of birds due to H5N1 virus infection. Authorities are sanitizing the area, culling remaining chickens, and banning poultry movement while monitoring the situation.

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According to the information, between February 20 and 25, chickens were continuously dying in the poultry farm. Samples of the dead chickens were sent to a laboratory in Akola for examination. After this, detailed investigations were also done in the laboratories of the National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases in Pune and Bhopal. On February 27, the report confirmed the H5N1 virus (bird flu).

Washim, Maharashtra: Bird flu (H5N1) outbreak in Vidarbha after 6,831 chickens died at a poultry farm in Kherda village. Lab tests confirmed the virus. Authorities are sanitizing the area, culling remaining chickens, and banning poultry movement while monitoring the situation pic.twitter.com/uiVkLmmilH

— IANS (@ians_india) March 1, 2025

The district administration has said that the operation to sanitize the affected area has been intensified. The process of culling the remaining chickens continues. The movement and sale of poultry from poultry farms has been banned. Special committees have been formed in every taluka under the supervision of the tehsildar.