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Culling almost over in West Bengal

KOLKATA: Culling of poultry birds in the wake of the avian flu outbreak in West Bengal is almost over, Animal Resource Development Minister Anisur Rahaman told The Hindu here on Monday.

Nearly 34 lakh birds were destroyed in the areas within a five-km radius from where bird deaths occurred and mopping operations were under way.

“There has been no report of avian flu spreading to any new area. The situation is well under control.”

Some chickens have died over the past two days in Howrah district adjoining Kolkata, but the cause is yet to be ascertained, according to a district official.

The police would assist authorities in the mopping operations, which would continue for a week, Home Secretary Prasad Ranjan Ray said.

Legal action could be taken against those refusing to part with their poultry for culling, he said.

Mr. Ray said the government was working out a compensation package for the families whose poultry died of the disease and whose birds were being culled.

There has been no report of humans being afflicted with avian influenza, a senior health official said.

Samples from 22 persons, including three belonging to the culling teams, who were suffering from fever and admitted to hospital, tested negative, the official said.

The report for another person was awaited. Three culling team members were under observation.

Health workers are carrying out surveillance on a 30-lakh population in areas where bird flue has been reported.

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