OIE: India reported outbreak of H5N1 bird flu

A volunteer wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as a precaution against the spread of bird flu observes an injured rescued bird at a temporary shelter in Ahmedabad on January 13, 2021.
(SAM PANTHAKY / AFP)

PARIS – India reported an outbreak of the highly contagious H5N1 bird flu virus on a poultry research farm in the northeastern state of Bihar, the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) said on Wednesday.

The virus killed 787 out of 3,859 birds on the farm in Patna and all of the remaining birds were slaughtered, the Paris-based OIE said, citing a report from India's authorities.

The outbreak started on Jan 18 and was reported on Feb 16, according to the report.

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