Avian Influenza, commonly known as Bird Flu, has been detected for the fourth time at the Jessore Government Poultry and Development Farm. In response, all poultry breeding and development centers across the country have been instructed to remain on high alert. Private farms have also been directed to take precautionary measures. Special directives have been issued, and calls for a thorough investigation into the recurring outbreaks have been raised.
The Jessore breeding farm has been temporarily declared as a risk zone. Poultry rearing has been suspended there, and disinfection efforts using virus-destroying medicine have been carried out to ensure biosecurity. According to Bakhtiar Hossain, Deputy Director of the farm, poultry production at the Jessore farm will not resume anytime soon.
Information from the Department of Livestock reveals that on March 12, a large number of chickens suddenly died at the farm. Samples were sent to a laboratory in Dhaka, and after testing positive, more than 2,000 chickens from six sheds were culled and buried on March 13. The sheds were then emptied and disinfected. The Department of Livestock has advised people not to panic but to remain cautious. A total of 2,078 chickens were culled and buried after the positive lab report on March 13.
Officials at the Jessore Government Poultry Breeding and Development Farm stated that currently there are no chickens at the farm. The sheds have been disinfected. Farmers have been advised not to panic but to remain vigilant. Bakhtiar Hossain also pointed out that there are waste disposal areas outside the farm and birds frequent the area, which could potentially be sources of the virus spread.
In Dhaka, Dr. Abu Sufian, Director General of the Department of Livestock, informed the media that the bird flu was confirmed at the Jessore government farm on March 12. Samples will also be sent abroad for further testing. The farm has already been placed under special directives. All farmers’ associations have been warned to ensure proper safety measures, vaccinations, and regular inspections. Government farms have also been put on alert, and private farms have already received guidance.
According to the Jessore District Office of the Department of Livestock, the government poultry farm located in Shankarpur, Jessore has now been hit by bird flu four times. The last outbreak occurred on March 24, 2014, when a few chickens died due to the Avian Influenza A virus. Two days later, 393 more chickens died in a tin shed. At that time, the matter was reported to the higher authorities, the District Commissioner, and the Superintendent of Police. Eggs, feed, and vitamins were also tested. Dead chicken samples were sent to the Central Disease Investigation Laboratory in Mohakhali. On March 26, the lab report confirmed the virus. On March 27, under the supervision of veterinary doctors Mehedi Hasan, Samar Ghosh, and District Livestock Officer Abdur Razzak, 6,868 chickens, 1,882 eggs, 1,300 kg of feed, and 19 kg of vitamins were destroyed. A high-level investigation team identified several causes of infection, and six farm staff were transferred as punishment. Due to the extensive financial loss, the farm was declared high-risk, and poultry operations were suspended for six months to carry out disinfection and ensure biosecurity.
The department also confirmed that the farm had experienced previous outbreaks in 2008 and 2012. Including the current 2025 outbreak, the farm has suffered four major bird flu incidents, prompting urgent calls for a strong investigation into the recurring causes.
Jessore District Livestock Officer Dr. Rashedul Haque told Gramer Kagoj that there is no cause for panic. All infected chickens at the government farm have been culled and buried. The sheds are now safe. Private farms are being alerted, and markets are under surveillance. Farmers are being made aware to prevent further spread. He added that there is no need to worry since the people of this country cook meat at 100°C, and such viruses are destroyed at 70°C.
Bakhtiar Hossain, Deputy Director of the breeding farm, reiterated that poultry rearing will not resume at the farm anytime soon. There are multiple issues that need to be identified and resolved first. Being a border district, Jessore has implemented several precautionary measures. He urged that people remain calm and not be misled by misinformation or rumors regarding bird flu.
Farida Akhtar, an advisor to the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, said she was informed about the bird flu detection in early March. Steps have been taken to contain its spread. Officials are closely monitoring the situation and have taken necessary actions. Livestock department personnel have visited the Jessore farm and gathered information on how the virus may have entered Bangladesh.
Reporter : Dewan Morshed Alam