State PCS - Jharkhand (JPSC)

• 10 Mar 2025

Bird Flu Outbreak in Bokaro

Why in News? 

An official reported a bird flu outbreak in Jharkhand’s Bokaro district, nearly a month after the disease led to the culling of 5,500 birds in Ranchi. 

• The Centre confirmed the outbreak, caused by the H5N1 strain of avian influenza, on 7th March 2025 by issuing a letter to Jharkhand's chief secretary. 

 Key Points 

• Origin of the Outbreak: 
  • Officials traced the outbreak to a government poultry farm in Bokaro’s Sector 12, where around 250 birds had already died. 
• Containment Measures: 
  • On 8th March 2025, the Bokaro administration culled 46 birds and destroyed 506 eggs following directives from the Union Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying. 
  • Authorities also destroyed 1,717 kg of poultry feed and sanitised the entire farm to prevent further spread. 
• Restricted Zones Declared: 
  • The 1-km radius around the affected farm has been designated as an infected zone, where all birds will be culled. 
  • A 10-km radius has been declared a surveillance zone, prohibiting the sale and purchase of poultry. 
  • Authorities have launched an awareness campaign to inform the public. 
• Previous Bird Flu Case in Jharkhand: 
  • Earlier in February 2025, a bird flu outbreak was reported at Birsa Agriculture University (BAU) in Ranchi, leading to the culling of 5,488 birds.