DERA GHAZI KHAN, May 10: The large-scale dumping of dead broiler chickens by some poultry farmers in Manika canal, which passes through the eastern side of the city, has created bird flu scare among the public.

Reports said at least 3,000 dead chickens wrapped in bags were found floating in Manika canal.

The area residents informed the district live stock department and administration about the bags, which were fished out of the canal and set ablaze by the department officials after taking samples.

Live stock officer Dr Mansoor told Dawn that the department had already taken 300 samples from 2,110 poultry farms in the district which had been sent for laboratory tests.

He said no evidence of bird flu virus had yet been found in the district.

He said the department had traced a poultry farm located near the canal and if the owner was found guilty of dumping the dead chicken irresponsibly, stern action would be taken against him.

The said a strategy to check irresponsible chicken dumping would soon be adopted in the district with the help of police and administration, and equipment for its safe disposal would be installed.

A veterinary doctor said requesting anonymity that the recent heat wave might have caused large-scale chicken deaths as no bird flu case had been reported in the area yet.

However, the incident has put poultry business in the district on the stake.