According to a media report over a thousand chickens have died in a poultry farm in Orissa, but the officials have denied it saying only five birds have died and the death also has nothing to do with the bird flu.
The birds have died in a poultry farm at Manari village in Mayurbhanj district, leading Oriya daily The Samaja said, quoting farm owner Santosh Kumar Panda.The dead chickens were apparently buried near the firm and none of the district veterinary officials have so far visited the place.
"Only the deaths of five birds have been reported," District Collector V.K. Pandian told IANS, adding that the numbers may have been exaggerated because farmers wanted compensation. He said he was sending a team of experts to the spot.
Officials have also ruled out the possibility of a bird flu epidemic.
--Edited IANS
