Centre to extend all assistance to Bengal to contain Bird Flu

Kolkata, Jan 19 (UNI) Union Minister of State for Health Panabakka Lakshmi today said the Centre was extending all cooperation to West Bengal in tackling the situation, caused by the outbreak of Bird Flu.

Speaking to mediapersons here, Ms Lakshmi said, '' The Centre is ready to provide anything asked for by the state government to deal with the situation. The Centre has provided masks, ventilators and other necessary equipment to contain and prevent the spread of the disease in the state. '' ''Five more ventilators would be provided to the state, '' she said.

Ms Lakshmi stated that the Centre had already sent teams comprising health personnel and others to help the state government.

The Minister said she would discuss the situation with the state government during the review meeting of health programme with the latter here on Monday.

Meanwhile, the dreaded Avian Influenza had hit yet another block, Mohammed Bazar, of Shiuri sub-division in Birbhum district.

About 85,000 chickens had been culled in the entire district so far, official sources said, adding that altogether four lakh chickens would be disposed of in the bird flu-affected areas.

Animal Husbandry Minister Anisur Rehman held meetings with the district administration officials and reviewed the culling operations as well as the precautionary measures being taken.

Mr Rahman said presently 60 teams, comprising medical personnel and veterinary doctors, were executing the culling operations, adding that the number of teams would be increased to 300.

UNI SJC KK MS RAI2007