2,500 birds to be culled tomorrow

Bhopal, Mar 30 (UNI) Health authorities will take up culling operations of around 2,500 birds tomorrow in three villages -- Belghat, Rajangaon and Bamniya -- of Badwani district adjoining bird flu-hit Jalgaon district of Maharashtra.

Culling of nearly 8,000 chickens was carried out yesterday in 23 villages adjoining Ichhapur in Burhanpur district, where avian flu was detected.

Veterinary Services Commissioner Rajesh Rajora told UNI here that culling operation in Burhanpur was completed yesterday. A search will be carried out for remaining birds as part of the mopping up operation today.

Besides, eight teams have begun spraying disinfectants to ensure that 2,400 houses in 23 villages were safe.

He said poultry farm owners will be paid the remaining amount of compensation as per the revised rate today.

The state government raised the compensation of Rs 40 to Rs 60 per broiler, Rs 30 to Rs 40 per layer and Rs 10 to Rs 20 per chick.

Dr Rajora said three villages in Badwani came under the radius of suspicion of bird flu-hit Varad area of Maharashtra's Jalgaon district He added that a red alert had been sounded in five districts -- Burhanpur, Khargone, Jhabua, Badwani and Betul districts -- adjoining Maharashtra and Gujarat.

UNI SD-PS MSJ RAI1830