Rourkela, Jan. 1: Bird flu has been reported in Rourkela for the first time. The virus has been found during the medical examination of dead birds. A red alert has been sounded in the city.
"We are on high alert and are keeping an eye on the developments round the clock," said Sundergarh collector B.S. Punia. "A scientific team will arrive from Bhubaneswar and take stock of the situation," he added.
A task force meeting, comprising officials from the administration, health department, Rourkela Municipal Corporation and Rourkela Steel Plant, was held yesterday to take stock of the situation.
The administration has closed down Indira Gandhi Park, a major tourist destination in the city, for an indefinite period. The administration has put up a notice board in front of the park in this regard.
The district collector said: "Following the report from Bhopal laboratory we have taken this decision to close the park to visitors."
Visitors who had come to the park for New Year celebrations were disappointed to find it closed. "I had come from Bargarh with my family but found the park closed due to bird flu," said Shyamakanta Bahidar.
Sub-divisional medical officer Pushpa Mishra visited the park and advised those working there about taking precautions. She advised them to use masks and immediately report any further deaths of the birds and also about anyone feeling uneasy.
"These are all precautionary measures for those working inside," she said.
In the past week, dead crows were found in the local Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) colony.
Initially, this spread curiosity and then panic. Three pelicans, two while ibis and one duck were found dead in quick succession.
"At first, we thought it was due to the extreme cold. However, when the death of crows took place in large numbers we took note of it and drew the attention of our senior officers," said a CISF personnel posted there.
The administration took notice of it and sent the dead birds to Bhopal to ascertain the cause of death. The result came positive.
A team led by the joint director of Animal Disease Research Institute B.K. Parida and a scientist has arrived in Rourkela from Bhubaneswar.
Four rapid response teams have been formed to keep an eye on the developments.
The teams have been formed with experts drawn from different departments. This team will conduct survey in one kilometre radius to find the presence of the disease and then it will be enhanced to 10km radius.
Poultry farmers and sellers are panicking at the development.
"I did not know what to do when I heard the news," said a farmer who has a large poultry farm. Babu, a poultry seller said: "This is a bad news for us, just when the season is picking up."
