Bird flu detected in Siliguri, culling to begin tomorrow

Siliguri, Jan 03 : Bird flu has been confirmed in Patiramjote area under Matigara police station here, District Magistrate Surendra Kumar Gupta said today.

Unnatural deaths of poultry had been reported from two villages of the area following which the blood samples were sent to laboratories in Belgachia, Kolkata, and Bhopal.

The samples tested positive for Avian Influenza and the report was sent to the DM yesterday.

Meanwhile, the DM held a meeting with the district administration and veterinary doctors and issued instructions to begin culling operations tomorrow.

About 60,000 chickens have been targetted to be culled in three days. Veterinary teams led by Deputy Director of the Animal Husbandry department Dr Rabindranath Ghosh will undertake the culling operations.

Unnatural deaths of birds have also been reported from the hill areas. The blood samples have been sent to laboratories for testing, the results of which are awaited, the DM added.

All precautionary measures were being taken to prevent the spread of the disease to other areas. The district administration was undertaking awareness drives to educate the people about bird flu.

--- UNI