35,000 chickens to be culled by Jan26 in Chinsura-Mogra block:Anisur

Hooghly, Jan 24 (UNI) West Bengal Animal Husbandry Minister Anisur Rahman today said they have a new target of culling 35,000 chickens by January 26 in Chinsura-Mogra block, adjacent to Palagar, where culling was in progress today.

While addressing newspersons here, Mr Rahman said the target of culling 5,500 chickens in Palagar could not be completed today due to bad weather. About 4,000 chickens have been culled until now. The remaining will be completed by tomorrow.

The culling will take place in four sections of the block, namely - Digshui, Mogra I, Chandra hati I and II.

Altogether, 30 teams will operate here, with at least five technical members. Hooghly Health Department and Animal Resource Development employees will be present as well, he informed.

''I have already ordered the sealing of borders of these affected blocks, from where eggs and chicken will not be allowed to go out,'' he said, adding that sale of eggs and chickens have also been temporarily stopped in these affected areas.

''Apart from this, strong vigilance is being maintained in these affected blocks. If suspected, blood samples are being brought in from any possible sources, having the virus infected birds,'' the minister said.

Meanwhile, DM Vinod Kumar said reports have come in from Polba, Pandua, Changipara blocks that many chickens, harons and pigs have died there. ''Blood samples have been duly collected and their reports are being awaited. He urged the people to remain calm and not to panic, keeping in view the already existing tension in the district over the spread of the disease.

UNI XC LL SY RAI2148