Reported by Bit Irom
Imphal: An unidentified flu-like poultry disease is spreading through Manipur’s Imphal East and West, killing hundreds of birds, affecting both commercial farms and backyard poultry, and devastating local farmers.
In response, panicked farmers are underselling infected birds. The Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Department has been urged to immediately test for and contain the outbreak.
Reports stated that the unidentified disease is affecting various breeds, including kuroiler, broiler, layer, and local varieties of both chickens and ducks.
According to affected farmers, infected birds are displaying clear flu-like symptoms, including head swelling, nasal discharge, and sudden death.
The outbreak is widespread across Imphal East, with cases reported in Khurai, Keirao, Thongju, Bamon Kampu, Kongba, Wangkhei, Akampat, and Kongpal. Imphal West has also reported infections in Ningombam, Langol, Iroishemba, Lamshang, Samurou, and Yumnam Huidrom.
A local poultry grower from Thongju Ningomthong stated that 30 of his egg-laying hens died suddenly before he could consult a veterinary professional, a tragic scenario echoed across the region.
Facing catastrophic losses, some farmers have resorted to selling infected or potentially exposed birds to vendors at heavily discounted rates, sometimes as low as Rs 200 per head for large 3–4 kg birds, in a desperate bid to cut their financial losses.
Compounding the crisis, farmers allege that the Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Department has yet to collect samples for testing.
Poultry owners are reiterating their calls for immediate government intervention to curb the outbreak and mitigate the economic fallout.