After confirming that two chickens kept in the Thane Police Commissioner’s bungalow tested positive for bird flu, and in consultation with the Husbandry Department of Thane District, the Thane Municipal Corporation has informed all chicken, mutton shops, and poultry outlets to remain closed until February 5 (for 21 days) and is restricted from selling starting January 15. According to TMC officials, the notice was issued to all poultry shops on January 15 and stated that the poultry products outlets would remain closed in the Kopari area until February 15.
The civic officials said that they received a letter from the District Collector in which it was stated that the infection of bird flu (avian influenza) has been spreading in the Kopari areas. Therefore, they enforced restrictions on all chicken and mutton shops to sell in the Kopari areas.
Although on January 14, a case of bird flu was confirmed by the Husbandry Department of Thane District at the official bungalow of Thane Police Commissioner Ashutosh Dumbre in Thane East.
Dr. Vallabh Joshi, an officer from the Husbandry Department of Thane District, said, “The deceased chicken and turkey birds were infected with bird flu. Following the report, as a precautionary measure, we have culled 21 chickens within a 1-kilometer radius from the bungalow.”
Officials from the Husbandry Department stated that they learned of two chickens found dead under unusual circumstances at the residence of the Police Commissioner located in Bara Bangla on December 10. They took samples of the two deceased chickens and sent them to the laboratory for analysis. Following the report, it was confirmed that the two chickens died due to bird flu.
An official from TMC (Thane Municipal Corporation) said that eight Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) were formed comprising the Husbandry Department from the District, TMC, and the Public Health Department for conducting a survey regarding bird flu and controlling the infection.
Dr. Chetan Nitin, Medical Officer of Health from TMC, said, “Our team checked the health of a total of 127 people. Out of these, 75 samples were taken. However, no one was found to be infected. A total of 31 chicken shops and one egg shop will remain closed. We have culled 21 chickens and destroyed 200 eggs.”