NAGPUR: A bird flu outbreak was confirmed late Monday evening at the Central Hatchery at Seminary Hills after around 800 to 1,000 birds died and the Bhopal-based CSIR-National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD) lab confirmed presence of the infection, triggering urgent containment measures and administrative action.Several assistant commissioners and livestock development officers were instructed via phone to immediately report to the Central Hatchery to oversee the scientific disposal of poultry birds. Sources said some officers either switched off their phones or failed to report for duty.In view of the outbreak, the Nagpur district collector has already issued an official notification. Authorities have warned that any negligence during this emergency situation will attract disciplinary action under the Disaster Management Act. The regional joint commissioner of animal husbandry has directed that proposals be submitted for action against the erring officers. All officials have been instructed to strictly comply with orders issued by the deputy commissioner of animal husbandry and dairy development, Nagpur, failing which their names will be reported to the district collector for further action.The developments come amid heightened alert in the region as authorities intensify efforts to contain the spread of bird flu.
