Bird flu has resurfaced in Navapur, with authorities confirming the presence of the highly pathogenic H5N1 virus. The fresh outbreak in the tribal belt of Nandurbar district of Maharashtra has triggered alarm among poultry farmers and local officials alike.
This is the third occurrence of bird flu in the region, intensifying fears of recurring outbreaks and mounting economic losses. Samples collected from affected poultry were sent for laboratory testing, which confirmed the presence of the H5N1 strain, known for its high mortality rate in birds.
While poultry farmers in Navapur have expressed deep concern over the situation, stating that repeated outbreaks have severely impacted their livelihoods and are expected to face financial struggles.
Nandurbar, Maharashtra: Bird flu has resurfaced in Navapur, Nandurbar district, with the H5N1 virus confirmed. The outbreak has raised serious concerns among poultry farmers, especially as this is the third occurrence, leading to fears of heavy financial losses pic.twitter.com/t3iYZpvFJT
— IANS (@ians_india) May 2, 2026
The outbreak has once again highlighted the vulnerability of poultry farming in the region and the urgent need for stronger preventive mechanisms and financial support for affected farmers.
Bird flu outbreak contained in Bengaluru
Last month in April, the Karnataka Health Department also highlighted a bird flu outbreak. As per IANS, bird flu was reported at a government poultry training centre in Hesaraghatta near Bengaluru. However, the outbreak was later successfully contained following a 10-day intensive surveillance drive, with no human cases detected so far.
According to an official statement by the Department of Health and Family Welfare, the outbreak was first detected on April 14 and subsequently confirmed through laboratory reports from the National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD), Bhopal.
In response, State and District Rapid Response Teams, along with teams from Hesaraghatta and Sonnenahalli Primary Health Centres, were immediately deployed to contain the spread.
An infected zone with a radius of 0-3 km and a surveillance zone covering 3-10 km were established around the outbreak site. The Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services undertook culling of all birds at the affected centre and ensured safe disposal of eggs and contaminated feed in accordance with prescribed biosecurity protocols.
Meanwhile, the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services also issued a sanitisation certificate for the affected area on April 21. As a precautionary measure, poultry-related activities at the centre will remain suspended for a period of 90 days. During this time, the premises will undergo periodic disinfection every 15 days through fumigation indoors and spraying in open areas.
(With inputs from IANS)