Bangladesh culls affected chickens, prevents entry from India

Dhaka, Jan 27 (UNI) As many as 3,26,844 affected chickens have so far been culled across Bangladesh and the authorities took measures to prevent entry of chickens and eggs coming from India.

Manik Lal Samaddar, a special assistant to the government, told mediapersons that as bird flu broke out in neighbouring India, the government has taken steps to combat the spread of avian influenza.

Samadder, who is in charge of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, said the government has already alerted Bangladesh border guards--Bangladesh Rifles (BDR)-- so that poultry and eggs could not enter the country from India.

He said the Livestock Ministry is coordinating with the Health Ministry to check the spread of avian influenza to humans.

''If people are affected with avian influenza, it would create hindrance to manpower export,'' he observed.

He added some 108 people were sent to the hospital for testing of avian influenza but the virus was not detected in their bodies.

UNI XC SKB RN1654