The poultry birds found dead in Chhattisgarh's Balod district reported bird flu positive, the Veterinary Department said on Thursday, triggering a       state-wide alert.

“The samples of poultry birds found dead in Balod a few days back were sent to ‘Animal Disease Laboratory’ in Bhopal. The report on Thursday evening said the birds were H5N8 (bird flu) positive,” said Matheshwaran V, Director of Veterinary Services in the Chhattisgarh Livestock Development Department.

The samples of crows were negative, he said, adding samples of birds sent from other districts also reported negative, he said.

"We have shared the report with district administration and now it will take action accordingly," Matheshwaran said.

Following the report of bird flu, the Chhattisgarh government has sounded a state-wide alert, a press statement by the government said.

Five samples of poultry birds from GS Poultry Farm, Gidhali, were sent to Bhopal for testing on January 11. The tracheal swab and cloacal swab report from birds were reported H5N8 positive.

After the report            confirmed presence of avian influenza in the samples, the area within one km of the farm was marked as            contaminated zone.

The Rapid Response Team (RRT) has initiated steps to contain the spread of the virus.

The movement of poultry birds in the contaminated zone has been banned and steps to curb human movement in the zone has been    initiated. Also, a 10 km range in Gidhali zone has been   notified as under observation, the press release said.