Bird flu confirmed in Margram: CMO

Birbhum, Jan 14 (UNI) Fresh threat of avian influenza hit West Bengal as at least 10,000 chickens have died of the virus during the past ten days at Margram village in Birbhum district.

Chief Medical Offical (CMO) of Birbhum Sunil Bhowmik today confirmed the occurrence of bird-flu after the blood samples sent to Bhopal for tests were found positive.

A 300-member committee comprising officials from all the Animal Husbandary departments of Birbhum and Murshidabad districts has been formed and divided into 60 teams to monitor the whole situation.

Mr Bhowmick also said the district administration was taking adequate precautions and the sale of poultry had been banned throughout the village.

Besides, various NGOs and self-help groups have been instructed to organise door-to-door campaigns to spread awareness among the people for precautionary measures.

Disinfectants were also being sprayed at strategic locations.

District Magistrate Tapan Kr Som added that a special team, comprising two medical officers, would be arriving from New Delhi today to inspect the site.

The CMO had earlier said that all poultry within a ten km radius would be quarantined if the tests were found positive.

Besides, as a precautionary measure, imposing a ban on the sale of poultry at the Rampurhat subdivision of the district was also being considered, the CMO added.

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