{
  "id": 19958212,
  "title": "Avian influenza confirmed in Tamil Nadu’s Cuddalore, over 1,500 chickens culled",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/14/avian-influenza-confirmed-in-tamil-nadus-cuddalore-over-1-500-19958212",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-11-14T09:46:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Hindu - Sci-Tech",
    "slug": "the-hindu-sci-tech",
    "url": "https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/avian-influenza-confirmed-in-cuddalore-over-1500-chickens-culled/article71701325.ece"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD) in Bhopal has confirmed the presence of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (H5N1) in chicken samples collected from a poultry farm in Kattiyankuppam village, Kurinjipadi taluk of Tamil Nadu's Cuddalore district. This confirmation, made on November 13, 2026, follows a sudden mortality incident reported on October 30. As a result, a comprehensive containment operation has been initiated by the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services Department. The department has culled all birds from the affected farm and within a one-kilometre radius, totaling over 35,647 bird deaths as of November 13. Veterinary teams collected samples from the initial farm and sent them to various laboratories for testing. The containment operation, adhering to the National Action Plan, involves dividing the district into compartments to prevent further spread. So far, 1,550 birds have been culled, and efforts are underway to cull the remaining birds in the epicentre farm and the surrounding area. The carcasses are being disposed of through deep burial, and biosecurity measures are in place. Movement of birds in and out of the affected farms is strictly restricted, and all poultry farms in the vicinity are under intensive surveillance. The public has been advised to report any unusual bird mortality immediately to the nearest veterinary institution. Poultry restocking is prohibited for three months in the affected area, and cooperation from poultry farmers is crucial to contain the outbreak. The situation is continuously monitored by the Animal Husbandry Department under the supervision of the District Administration.",
  "summary": "On November 5, a carcass sample was despatched to NIHSAD Bhopal, which confirmed H5N1 on November 13",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}