H5N1 Avian Flu Detected in Bengaluru Poultry Center; Containment Measures Initiated

Authorities in Karnataka, India, have confirmed the detection of the H5N1 avian influenza virus at a poultry training centre in Muthkur village, Hesaraghatta, near Bengaluru. The infection was officially verified on April 14, 2026, following a report from the National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD) in Bhopal. In response, the Animal Husbandry Department implemented strict containment protocols on April 15, which included the culling of 7,444 birds and the scientific disposal of over 14,000 eggs and 2,250 kg of poultry feed. To prevent further spread, a 3-km radius around the facility has been declared an infected zone, while a broader 10-km area is designated as a surveillance zone. Rapid response teams from state, district, and primary health centres visited the site on April 16 to oversee operations. Dinesh Gundu Rao, a state official, assured the public that there is no need for panic, emphasizing that standard safety procedures are being followed effectively to manage the outbreak and protect public health.