Poultry birds test positive for bird flu infection in Maharashtra's Udgir; authorities in tizzy
Latur, Jan 28 (PTI): Some poultry birds in Ramnagar area of Udgir town in Maharashtra's Latur district on Tuesday tested positive for bird flu infection, prompting the authorities to begin the culling process and undertake other safety measures, an official said.
These domestically-reared poultry birds tested positive days after more than 60 crows died of bird flu infection in parts of Udgir town.
"Samples of these poultry birds had been sent for testing on January 24. The National Institute of High-Security Animal Diseases in Bhopal today afternoon confirmed that these birds were infected with bird flu infection," district deputy commissioner of animal husbandry department Dr Shridhar Shinde said.
"Following this, the district administration has implemented preventive measures to curb the spread of the infection. Around 200 poultry birds and other native birds within one kilometre radius are being scientifically culled and eggs, feed and any bird-related remnants are being destroyed. In addition, a 10-kilometre radius has been declared as an alert zone," he said, adding that the affected area was undergoing disinfection.
Guardian minister Shivendrasinhraje Bhosale has been apprised of the situation by the district collector, and the administration has expedited necessary actions, he added.
Multiple departments and agencies, including animal husbandry, revenue, forest, water resources, public works, land records, transport, municipal corporation and police are working together in this effort, officials said.
Citizens residing in the 10-km zone are urged to strictly adhere to the administration's guidelines. Disinfection operations are ongoing, and medical samples of poultry birds from this area are being sent for laboratory testing, they said.
The district administration said verified information regarding the bird flu outbreak will be released regularly, they said.
"If citizens come across sick birds or unusual bird deaths, they are urged to immediately report about it to the toll-free helpline 1962 or contact the nearest veterinary clinic," the district administration said.
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Rupee falls 28 paise to 94.77 against US dollar in early trade
Mumbai (PTI): The rupee depreciated 28 paise to 94.77 against the US dollar in early trade on Thursday as market sentiment took a dramatic turn after reports emerged that the US and Iran are discussing a 14-point Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at reducing tensions and reopening negotiations.
Forex traders said Brent oil prices, which had fallen to USD 98 on the US-Iran peace deal, edged slightly higher to USD 101 per barrel after investors weighed the prospects for a Middle East peace deal.
Moreover, factors such as unabated foreign capital outflows amid rising geopolitical uncertainties further dented investor sentiment.
At the interbank foreign exchange market, the rupee opened at 94.77 against the US dollar, registering a fall of 28 paise over its previous close.
On Wednesday, the rupee appreciated 69 paise to close at 94.49 against the US dollar.
"Markets are currently focused on the critical 48-hour window during which the US expects Tehran’s formal response through Pakistani mediators," said CR Forex Advisors MD Amit Pabari.
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday threatened Iran with more bombing if it doesn't reopen the Strait of Hormuz, amid a report that the warring sides were nearing an agreement to end the war.
US media outlet Axios reported, quoting US officials and two other sources, that the US and Iran were getting close to a one-page memorandum of understanding to end the war and set a framework for more detailed nuclear negotiations.
The US expects Iranian responses on several key points over the next 48 hours, Axios reported, adding that nothing has been agreed yet. This was the closest the parties had been to an agreement since the war began.
Meanwhile, the dollar index, which gauges the greenback's strength against a basket of six currencies, was trading at 98.01, down 0.01 per cent.
Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, was trading higher by 0.65 per cent at USD 101.83 per barrel in futures trade.
On the domestic equity market front, the 30-share benchmark index Sensex declined 160.24 points to 77,798.28 in early trade, while the Nifty was down 30.25 points to 24,300.70.
Foreign Institutional Investors offloaded equities worth Rs 5,834.90 crore on Wednesday, according to exchange data.
On the domestic macroeconomic front, the country's goods and services exports rose 4.6 per cent to an all-time high of USD 863.11 billion during 2025-26, up from USD 825.26 billion in 2024-25, despite global economic uncertainties, according to revised commerce ministry data.
Merchandise exports grew 0.93 per cent to USD 441.78 billion in the last fiscal year from USD 437.70 billion in 2024-25, the data showed.
