Bengal govt takes precautionary measures after 2,500 chicks die

Kolkata, May 8 (UNI) The West Bengal Government has asked poultry owners across the state to take precautionary measures following the death of 2,500 chickens at a private farm in Siliguri over the past four days.

Animal Resource Development Minister Anisur Rehaman said though post mortem conducted on the dead poultry birds suggested a ''low probability'' of bird flu, blood samples had been sent to the High Security Animal Diseases Laboratory in Bhopal for a detalied analysis of the cause of the deaths.

Mr Rehman said the farm had been sealed and its employees were made to undergo medical check up, veterinary officials were also rushed to the area.

Vigil had been stepped up along the areas close to Bangladesh against smuggling of any bird from across the border keeping in mind the incidence of bird flu in the neighbouring country few months ago, Mr Rehman said.

UNI