H5N1 Alert: Bird Flu Hits Karnataka's Tumkur District

Around 40 peacocks have died due to the H5N1 virus in Karnataka's Tumkur district. A 10 km radius has been designated a containment zone. District officials urge residents to consume only well-cooked meat as they monitor the situation. Previous outbreaks in Chhattisgarh highlight the virus's continuing threat.

In a recent outbreak of the H5N1 virus, approximately 40 peacocks have succumbed in Karnataka's Tumkur district, according to Deputy Commissioner Subha Kalyan. The district administration has instituted a containment zone spanning a 10-kilometer radius from the outbreak's epicenter to curb the virus's spread.

Deputy Commissioner Kalyan instructed residents to consume only thoroughly cooked and boiled meat to ensure safety. Speaking to ANI, she confirmed the virus's presence following laboratory analysis, noting the establishment of continuous surveillance by rapid response teams.

Authorities have identified 31 poultry shops and 10 farms within the affected vicinity, with further tests underway on additional bird samples. Earlier instances, such as the bans imposed in Chhattisgarh, underscore the virus's potential danger. The WHO warns that although rare, human infections can lead to severe illness and high mortality.