West Bengal's two more districts hit by bird flu

New Delhi, Jan 19 : With the sample from West Bengal's two more districts -- Nadia and Burdwan - testing positive for bird flu on Saturday, the total number of districts hit by avian influenza has reached five.

On Friday, the government had confirmed bird flu in Murshidabad District. The deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu was first confirmed in Birbhum and Dakshin Dinajpur districts on January 15.

"Samples from four blocks of Murshidabad District (Khargram, Burwan, Nowda and Nabagram), one block of Nadia District (Tehatta) and two blocks of Burdwan District (Mongalkote and Purbasthali) have been found positive for avian influenza by rapid tests," a Union Agriculture Ministry release said.

"As per latest information, a total mortality of 96,010 poultry birds has been reported from Birbhum, South Dinajpur, Murshidabad, Nadia, South 24 parganas, Burdwan and Bankura districts of West Bengal," the release added.

However, the samples from South 24 Parganas, Cooch Behar, Purulia and Hooghly districts have tested negative for the virus.

Result of sample from Bankura District sent to High Security Animal Disease Laboratory (HSADL), Bhopal is awaited.

Meanwhile, culling operations gained momentum in the State.

A total of 64 Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) carried out culling operation in Birbhum District and 38 teams in Dakshin Dinajpur district.

Sixteen RRTs were deployed in Murshidabad District for intensive surveillance.

ANI