80 chickens found dead in Burhanpur

Bhopal, Mar 16 (UNI) After about 80 chickens were found dead at Ichhapur area in Madhya Pradesh's Burhanpur district, samples have been sent to the state capital-based High Security Animal Disease Laboratory (HSADL) for testing the presence of deadly H5N1 birdflu strain.

Veterinary Commissioner Rajesh Rajora told UNI here that the state faced no threat from the virus at present and testing on 1,750 samples so far had proved negative.

He said vigilance had been intensified in four districts -- Jhabua, Badwani, Khandwa and Burhanpur -- adjoining Maharashtra and Gujarat, while a close eye was being kept on migratory birds in various districts.

Besides, directions had been issued to all districts to constitute culling and vaccinator teams for taking immediate action when need arises.

Dr Rajora said process of collecting samples from backyard poultry was continuing, as similar samples in Maharashtra's Jalgaon district had tested positive.

Burhanpur collector Suraj Damor said he had received information about the death of chickens due to rains and hailstorm.

Significantly, Ichhapur area in Burhanpur district is about 50 km from Jalgaon.

UNI SD-PS MA RN2343