Nearly 70,000 chickens culled in West Bengal
By IANSSaturday, January 23, 2010
NEW DELHI - Nearly 70,000 chickens have been culled in West Bengal’s bird-flu hit Murshidabad district, officials said here Thursday.
“The situation is being monitored on a daily basis. So far 69,885 birds have been culled and 6,214 eggs have been destroyed,” a statement issued here said.
The outbreak of avian influenza was notified in Murshidabad district Jan 14. Since then, officials said, two more epicentres have surfaced in the district at Haripur and Ninur. Faridpur village of Burwan block was also notified Jan 17 as avian-flu hit.
The union health ministry has stationed a three-member rapid response team at Murshidabad to monitor the situation and assist the state health authorities.
Bird flu normally infects only birds and, less commonly, pigs.
Officials said that over 400 poultry workers and veterinary surgeons are involved in the culling operations.
