Recombinomics: H5N1 Spread to Dhaka and Chittagong Bangladesh

Commentary

H5N1 Spread to Dhaka and Chittagong Bangladesh
Recombinomics Commentary 21:01
January 20, 2009

Recent MOFL reports from Bangladesh describe three new H5N1 cullings. The January 14 report included culling of 5229 birds near Dhaka, while the January 18 report described the culling of 2445 birds at Kurigram and Chittagong (see updated map).

The new outbreak near the major population centers of Dhaka and Chittagong, as well as another outbreak in Kurigram, near the Assam, Meghalaya, and Cooch Behar borders suggest H5N1 is continuing to spread, and the colder weather has led to outbreaks as far south as Chittagong.

These outbreaks in Bangladesh raise questions about the surveillance in West Bengal. Although outbreaks near Siliiguri in the north, and recent outbreaks in Sikkim and Nepal also signal activity, most of West Bengal has not reported H5n1 outbreaks, although excessive deaths have been noted.

Last season H5N1 spread throughout West Bengal in January and February. Lack of confirmations in most of West Bengal remains suspect.
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