Bird flu: Centre asks Assam to mop up culling in 3 days

Posted: Dec 14, 2008 at 0016 hrs IST
Guwahati, Shillong:
Fifteen days after the Assam Government failed to bring avian influenza under control, the Centre on Saturday directed the state Government to mop up culling operations in three days so that it did not spread to newer areas in the region.



Culling operation of fowls have been also initiated in four places on the Meghalaya side of Khanapara late Saturday evening. Meghalaya Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department Director Dr D Khonglah said about 3,000 fowls were going to be culled. Meghalaya had recently imposed a ban on import of chicken and poultry products.
A high-level Central team headed by N Gokulram, secretary, department of animal husbandry in the Agriculture Ministry on Friday met senior Assam Government officials.
While the first case of bird flu was confirmed and notified at a village in Kamrup, Assam, on November 27, it has since spread to at least nine locations in six districts in the state.
The possibility of migratory birds having brought the virus has not been ruled out. The Central team also did not rule out the Bangladesh route, as one of the several possibilities.