Bird Flu continues raging in 13 Bengal districts

Kolkata, Jan 29 (UNI) Amid the apprehension of fresh areas coming under the grip of Bird Flu, the disease continued raging in 13 West Bengal districts.

Animal Resources Development Minister Anisur Rahaman told reporters here today that the deadly H5N1 virus was feared to have affected one block in North 24 Parganas district, which had so far remained out of the clutch from the disease.

" Blood samples of dead chickens have been sent for test from Baduria block in North 24 Parganas district. We are awaiting the report, " he stated.

Samples from Karimpur block of Suri sub-division in Birbhum district and Harijanpalli under Kalyani of Nadia district had also been sent for examination, he said.

Both Birbhum and Nadia had already been declared affected by the disease.

The Minister said already 2.2 million chickens out of the targeted 2.5 million had been culled with the operation was over in a few districts.

" We may have to raise the target for culling if the disease breaks out further in frssh areas, " he added.

Yesterday the Bidhan Nagar Municipal authorities put a ban on the sale of chickens and all other poultry products in all the 14 markets under its jurisdiction as a preventive measure.

Out of the total 19 districts of the state, 13 had already been affected by bird flu triggering economic crisis for an estimated 500,000 people, who used to depend on backyard poultry farming for livelihood.

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