Thursday, February 16, 2012

Bhutan-Bird flu spreads in Chhukha #H5N1 #BIRDFLU

The dzongkhag has seen four outbreaks in two months
Just as the report from Bhopal laboratory in India officially confirmed that a bird flu or H5N1 virus had killed the 87 birds in Tshimasham, last December, another outbreak was confirmed in Ramitey, Phuentsholing on February 10.
This is the fourth outbreak reported in the dzongkhag in about two months time.
On February 14, the bird flu surveillance team culled 27 birds (17 adults and 10 chicks) and burnt three coops in Ramitey, about 10km from Phuentsholing.
The tracheal and cloacal samples collected from the dead bird were sent for tests after a poultry owner informed livestock officials about the bird deaths at his backyard farm.
Dr Basant Sharma said two birds died during their investigation while another two died the following day in the same farm. All birds tested positive for H5N1.
The 27 birds culled belonged to four farmers.
Dr Basant Sharma said no human infection has been reported and that the poultry owners are safe from the flu. The owners will be compensated today.
While the Bhopal lab has confirmed about different strains of H5N1 virus in the samples sent from Tshimasham, Dr Basant Sharma said the laboratory is still finding out if the virus was from wild birds. “It will also find out if the virus existed in Bhutan or if the virus had migrated.”
http://www.kuenselonline.com/2011/?p=27191

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