The recent outbreak of bird flu in Odisha’s Puri district has triggered a wave of concern across the state, especially as neighboring West Bengal has imposed a strict ban on the import of poultry products from Odisha. The ban, which took effect a few days ago, restricts the transportation of live poultry birds, eggs, and related products from Odisha to West Bengal, impacting the livelihoods of farmers and traders.
Despite these measures and growing fears about the H5N1 virus, many restaurants, hotels, and fast food chains in Bhubaneswar, the state capital, continue to sell chicken products. The continued sale of poultry in local markets and events, even as authorities urge caution, has raised eyebrows.
“We have issued an advisory asking people to avoid eating chicken for the time being, especially from areas affected by bird flu,” Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) Mayor Sulochana Das said. “The infection was detected near city limits, and we are taking all necessary precautions to prevent its spread.”
BMC Advisory Ignored Amid Rising Health Concerns
The BMC’s advisory follows the confirmation of bird flu in Pipili, a town in Puri district, where the state government has already begun culling over 20,000 birds to contain the virus. Mayor Sulochana Das urged citizens to abstain from consuming poultry for a few days and advised local businesses to halt the sale of chicken, particularly from affected regions.
However, it appears that some outlets and fast food chains in Bhubaneswar are not heeding these warnings. Chicken continues to be served in hotels and sold in stores, with some establishments even catering to large gatherings and events. This has raised concerns among health experts and the public, as the virus, though primarily affecting birds, poses a potential risk to humans through direct contact or consumption of contaminated poultry.
Local resident Shalini Mishra expressed her concerns: “It’s alarming that despite the bird flu scare, many restaurants are still serving chicken. We need to be more cautious as it could put lives at risk.”
West Bengal Imposes Ban on Odisha Poultry Products
West Bengal’s government has taken a firmer stance, enacting a ban on the import of poultry birds, eggs, and related products from Odisha. This move, enforced at border checkpoints, has led to Odisha-registered vehicles carrying poultry being turned away, while poultry from Andhra Pradesh is still allowed in.
A joint team from West Bengal’s police and Animal Husbandry Department is monitoring the situation closely. “We cannot take any risks with public health,” an official from the West Bengal government said. “The ban will remain in place until the situation is under control.”
The restrictions have hit Odisha’s poultry industry hard. Odisha supplies approximately 100 tonnes of poultry birds to West Bengal daily, and businesses are now facing substantial financial losses. TK Sahu, manager of a leading poultry products company, said, “We have daily contracts to supply 20 tonnes of poultry to West Bengal. This ban has come as a huge setback for our business.”
Odisha’s Response and Containment Efforts
Dr. Jagannath Nanda, Additional Director of Animal Disease Control in Odisha, said that all necessary measures are being taken to contain the spread of bird flu. “Poultry integrators have been instructed to alert farmers and report any suspected cases immediately. Our main priority is to keep the virus from spreading beyond Puri,” he explained.
Meanwhile, samples from other districts, including Kendrapara, have been sent to the regional laboratory in Kolkata for testing, with results expected soon. “So far, the avian influenza cases have been restricted to Puri, but we are being vigilant,” Dr. Nanda added.
Farmers like Sushant Das from Balasore are feeling the brunt of these measures. “Our region has not reported any bird flu cases, but we are still being affected by the ban. We are already struggling with market fluctuations, and this only makes it harder.”
What Lies Ahead
As the bird flu outbreak continues to be monitored, public health experts are urging caution. The BMC is expected to intensify its efforts in advising people to avoid poultry consumption until the situation stabilizes. While containment efforts in Puri are ongoing, the continued sale of chicken in Bhubaneswar has raised questions about enforcement and public safety.
Though authorities are working to manage the situation, the sight of restaurants and fast food outlets selling chicken despite advisories is causing growing unease. The risk, however minimal, has led to calls for stricter enforcement of health guidelines and better coordination to prevent any escalation of the crisis.
For now, as containment efforts proceed, the people of Bhubaneswar are left to weigh the risks and consider whether avoiding poultry might be the safest choice for the time being.
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Add why the BMC is not checking and banning selling of chicken products in this Bird Flue Days in captial city bhbaneswar and near by areas
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Bird Flu Outbreak Sparks Concern, But Chicken Sales Continue in Bhubaneswar Despite Warnings
Bhubaneswar: The recent outbreak of bird flu in Odisha’s Puri district has triggered widespread concern across the state, with neighboring West Bengal imposing a strict ban on the import of poultry products from Odisha. The ban, which came into effect a few days ago, restricts the transportation of live poultry birds, eggs, and related products from Odisha to West Bengal, impacting the livelihoods of farmers and traders.
Despite growing fears about the H5N1 virus, hotels, restaurants, and fast-food chains in Bhubaneswar, the state capital, are continuing to sell chicken. Poultry products are also widely available in stores and are being served at large gatherings and functions, sparking questions about why local authorities have not imposed stricter regulations. This comes despite the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) issuing an advisory urging caution.
“We have issued an advisory asking people to avoid eating chicken for the time being, especially from areas affected by bird flu,” Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) Mayor Sulochana Das said. “The infection was detected near city limits, and we are taking all necessary precautions to prevent its spread.”
Why Is BMC Not Banning Chicken Sales?
While the BMC has issued advisories, many are questioning why it has not enforced a complete ban on the sale of chicken products in Bhubaneswar and nearby areas. According to BMC officials, the decision to refrain from imposing an outright ban stems from a variety of factors, including economic concerns and the need for clear evidence linking the outbreak to the capital city.
“Currently, the bird flu cases are primarily limited to Puri, and there is no confirmed spread of the virus to Bhubaneswar,” a BMC official explained. “We are continuously monitoring the situation, but banning poultry products across the city would cause significant economic disruption for traders and poultry farmers who rely on the sale of chicken. Our goal is to strike a balance between public safety and economic stability.”
However, health experts have warned that the sale of potentially contaminated poultry, even in unaffected areas, poses a serious risk to public health. “The virus could easily spread through the supply chain, and allowing chicken to be sold unchecked increases the danger of further outbreaks,” said Dr. A.K. Mohapatra, a public health expert.
Public Health vs. Economic Interests
The BMC’s decision not to impose a full ban has sparked debate among the public. Many residents are concerned about the potential health risks and feel that a stricter approach is needed. “It’s confusing and alarming that restaurants are still serving chicken despite the warnings. Public health should come first,” said local resident Priya Sahu.
On the other hand, traders and poultry suppliers have expressed relief that a complete ban has not been enforced. “We are already facing huge losses due to the restrictions in Puri, and a ban in Bhubaneswar would cripple our businesses further,” said Ranjit Mishra, a poultry supplier in the capital city. “The advisory is there, and people can choose whether to consume chicken, but banning it would devastate the market.”
West Bengal Imposes Ban on Odisha Poultry
While Bhubaneswar continues to see the sale of chicken, the West Bengal government has taken a much firmer stance by banning the import of poultry products from Odisha altogether. Joint teams of West Bengal’s police and Animal Husbandry Department are actively preventing the entry of poultry from Odisha at border checkpoints.
West Bengal’s decision has had a profound impact on the poultry trade, with Odisha supplying around 100 tonnes of poultry to West Bengal daily. The ban has left many poultry farmers in Odisha, especially those in unaffected areas, facing significant financial losses.
Odisha’s Response and Containment Efforts
In Odisha, the state government is taking measures to contain the outbreak. Dr. Jagannath Nanda, Additional Director of Animal Disease Control, emphasized that the bird flu cases are being contained in Puri, with no confirmed cases reported in Bhubaneswar or its surrounding areas. “Our priority is to ensure the virus does not spread beyond Puri. Poultry farmers are being advised to maintain high levels of biosecurity, and we are closely monitoring other districts.”
Samples from other districts, such as Kendrapara, have been sent to the regional laboratory in Kolkata for testing, and results are expected soon.
Looking Ahead
As the bird flu outbreak continues to be monitored, public health experts are urging stricter measures in Bhubaneswar. The BMC has so far opted for a cautious advisory, but many feel more decisive action may be needed if the virus spreads beyond Puri.
For now, the continued sale of chicken in Bhubaneswar, despite warnings, reflects the ongoing tension between protecting public health and sustaining local economies. Whether the BMC will impose further restrictions remains to be seen, but the public and authorities alike are keeping a close watch on the situation as it unfolds.