International Egg and Poultry Review - By the USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service - This is a weekly report looking at international developments concerning the poultry industry, this week looking at India's reaction to bird flu.

India’s Reaction to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza

India reported a confirmed outbreak of Avian influenza virus type H5N1 on February 18, 2006. The outbreaks occurred in western state of Maharashtra, in the small town of Navapur, Nandurbar district, in chickens in both commercial and backyard farms.

India began culling and stamping out all domestic poultry within a radius of about 3-4 km, which included Surat District, Gujarate State, which borders Nandurbar. Official also sealed off Navapur, with a population of about 30,000, and no one was allowed to enter or leave the town and 19 nearby villages.

Initial plans to cull between 500,000 and 700,000 birds were constrained by a shortage of workers and supplies such as masks and gloves. Authorities then ordered 48 poultry farms around Navapur to remain shut for three months after the poultry is slaughtered. Maharashtra state has a large poultry industry and about 80 percent of the population in Navapur draws its income from poultry farming. The government will reimburse poultry owners for the chickens culled, but leaving farms empty for three months will result in a major economical loss for the area.

Poultry sales plummeted in wholesale markets. The weak demand pushed prices on chicken from Rs 40 a kilo before HPAI was reported to Rs 24 on February 22. India’s state-run and private airlines and railways, the Indian military and Parliament removed poultry and eggs from their menu.

To view the full report, including tables please click here

Source: USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service - 28th February 2006