Avian Influenza
Thousand birds die in Orissa poultry farm
By IANS
Apr 18, 2006 - 2:13:00 PM

Over a thousand chickens have died in a poultry farm in Orissa, a media report said Tuesday, though officials confirmed the deaths of only five birds and said it had nothing to do with avian flu.

The birds have died in a poultry farm at Manari village in Mayurbhanj district, leading Oriya daily The Samaja said, quoting farm owner Santosh Kumar Panda.

The dead chickens were apparently buried near the firm and none of the district veterinary officials have so far visited the place.

"Only the deaths of five birds have been reported," District Collector V.K. Pandian told IANS, adding that the numbers may have been exaggerated because farmers wanted compensation. He said he was sending a team of experts to the spot.

Officials have also ruled out the possibility of a bird flu epidemic.

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