The Gorakhpur administration has ordered the closure of all poultry shops and live bird markets in the city for the next 21 days following confirmation of bird flu in multiple localities. This decision was made after laboratory tests confirmed the presence of avian influenza strains H5N1 and H9N2 in poultry samples collected from affected areas.
The confirmation came from the National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD) in Bhopal, where samples from Jhungia Bazar, Aluminium Factory area, Taramandal, Bhagat Chauraha, and Shaheed Ashfaqullah Khan Zoological Park tested positive for the virus. The Gorakhpur administration acted swiftly to contain the outbreak and prevent further spread of the disease.
In response to the confirmation, the Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO) has activated district-level rapid response teams. A control room has been established at the Sadar Veterinary Hospital, overseen by Manish Chandra, to monitor and manage the situation. Additional Municipal Commissioner Nirankar Singh announced that culling operations have commenced within a 1-kilometer radius of the infected zones, following central government guidelines. All live birds within this zone will be culled, and thorough disinfection drives are underway to eliminate the virus.
The CVO has appealed to the public to remain calm and not to believe in rumors, urging them to cooperate with the administration in their efforts to control the outbreak. Meanwhile, poultry samples from various farms sent to IVRI Izzatnagar, Bareilly, tested negative for bird flu, providing some reassurance. A total of 1,328 samples from Gorakhpur and 1,470 samples from the Gorakhpur-Basti division were tested during the surveillance exercise.
On Saturday, authorities culled 695 birds from 19 poultry shops identified within the hotspots. A quick response team and a control room have been activated to monitor the evolving situation. Officials have stated that the H5 strain was also found in a sample taken from Tigress Shakti, who died at Gorakhpur Zoo on May 7. In response, the animal husbandry department collected 1,328 samples from poultry farms and vendors across the district for further testing at NIHSAD.
Surveillance has been stepped up across Gorakhpur to track any new signs of the virus. While no other animals have tested positive, the zoo will remain closed for at least another week beyond June 3 as a preventive measure. Authorities are awaiting results for five more samples taken from the premises.
Earlier in May, in response to the death of the tigress, the Uttar Pradesh government had ordered the closure of zoos in Lucknow and Kanpur for a week, following similar measures in Gorakhpur and Etawah. Forest Minister Arun Kumar Saxena emphasized that surveillance had been intensified not just in zoos but also in poultry farms across the state, with staff directed to follow strict biosecurity measures.
The current measures in Gorakhpur highlight the ongoing efforts to control and prevent the spread of avian influenza, protecting both animal and public health. The closure of poultry shops and live bird markets for 21 days, along with culling and disinfection operations, are critical steps in containing the outbreak and ensuring the safety of the community.
