Fresh flu scare in N Dinajpur

RAIGANJ, 22 MAY: Bird Flu scare may have broken out afresh at Kantore, Kasimpurand Chotokantore village under Hemtabad police station in North Dinajpur district with the death of about 300 country chickens in the past three days. Officials of animal husbandry department in North Dinajpur have collected samples of bird carcass and sent those for laboratory tests in Bhopal.
According to one Ajimul Hossain, a resident of Kantore, about 200 chickens died in their village and another 100 or so died in the neighbouring Kasimpur and Choto Kantore villages in the past three days. “The birds showed symptoms of shivering and dripping fluid through the nose before dying,” he informed.
The disposal method of the dead birds in the affected villages is causing concern. “With no experience in such matters, the villagers are disposing the dead birds all over the place. The carcasses are emitting foul smell and could lead to health problems if no steps are taken soon. We have urged the animal husbandry department officials to organise awareness camps to educate the villagers on the subject,” said Mr Saifur Rahaman, a local leader.
Yet to get to the bottom of the problem, the animal husbandry authority is equally worried with the whole situation. “An animal husbandry team visited the affected villages in Hemtabad and collected samples of dead birds which would be sent to Bhopal through Kolkata for Bird Flu tests. We have appealed to the villagers to bury the dead birds and are monitoring the situation in the affected area,” said the deputy director, animal husbandry in North Dinajpur Mr Sajal Bhunia.