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Bird flu: Karnataka completes 10-day H5N1 surveillance and containment operation
Karnataka completed a 10-day intensive surveillance and containment operation after an H5N1 outbreak at a Bengaluru poultry training centre on April 14. The response included zone establishment, bird culling, testing, and sanitation, with Day 5 negative results and Day 10 samples awaiting results, and no human cases detected so far. Sanitization certification and precautionary measures, including a 90-day poultry ban, were issued ahead of the operation's conclusion on April 25.
Why It Matters
The timeline shows a multi-agency public health response to avian influenza, highlighting containment, surveillance, and preventive actions to protect both animal and human health.
Timeline
12 Events
Surveillance operation completed
April 25, 2026
The 10-day intensive surveillance and containment operation has been completed.
No human cases detected in infected or surveillance zones
April 25, 2026
No human case of H5N1 infection has been detected in the infected or surveillance zones.
90-day poultry activity ban and ongoing sanitation plan
April 25, 2026
No poultry activity will be undertaken for 90 days as a precautionary measure. During three months of surveillance, the entire area of the farm will be repeatedly disinfected by fumigation or sprays every 15 days.
Public health guidance to Bengaluru healthcare facilities
April 25, 2026
All Bengaluru healthcare facilities instructed to continue ILI/SARI case surveillance and ensure adequate stocks of PPE, triple-layer medical masks, oseltamivir, viral transport medium, and throat swab kits.
Day 10 sampling conducted; results awaited
April 23, 2026
Nasopharyngeal samples collected from quarantined staff on Day 10; results awaited. No human case of H5N1 infection has been detected in the infected or surveillance zones.
Sanitization Certificate issued
April 21, 2026
Sanitization Certificate issued by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services.
Day 5 sampling negative for H5N1
April 18, 2026
Nasopharyngeal samples collected from all quarantined staff on Day 5 were sent to NIV Bengaluru and tested negative for H5N1.
Public advised on handling meat and eggs; cooking guidance
April 14, 2026
Public advised to avoid handling or consuming meat or eggs from sick or dead poultry and report sightings of sick or dead birds to authorities; ensure poultry meat and eggs are thoroughly cooked before consumption.
10-day surveillance begins; population surveyed
April 14, 2026
Surveillance of the 28,172 people across 22 villages within the 10 km infective focus radius was conducted from day 1 to day 10, with multiple rounds of surveillance and sanitation activities completed per protocol.
Culling and disposal of poultry and contaminated feed
April 14, 2026
The Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services culled all birds and safely disposed of eggs and contaminated feed, following national and international biosecurity protocols.
Infected and surveillance zones established
April 14, 2026
An infected zone (0-3 km) and a surveillance zone (3-10 km) radius were established around the outbreak focus.
Outbreak reported at State Poultry Rearing Training Centre, Mathkuru, Hesaraghatta
April 14, 2026
H5N1 avian influenza outbreak was reported at the training centre. Lab reports from the National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases confirmed the outbreak, and state and district Rapid Response Teams, along with Hesaraghatta and Sonnenahalli PHCs, were deployed.