25.16 Lakh birds culled; 635 rapid response teams in field

New Delhi, Jan 31 (UNI) A total of 25.16 lakh birds have been culled till now in various districts of West Bengal in the wake of an outbreak of Avian Influenza (bird flu) in the state.

A total of 635 Rapid Response Teams were engaged as on January 30, which had completed culling 1.94 lakh birds taking the cumulative figure so far to 25.16 lakh, an official release said. The reduction in the number of teams was reported to be on account of work of culling having been completed in some districts, it added.

A total mortality of 1,31,981 poultry birds had been reported so far from Birbhum, Dakshin Dinajpur, Murshidabad, Nadia, South 24 Parganas, Burdwan, Bankura, Hooghly, Malda, Coochbehar, Purulia, Howrah and North 24 Parganas districts of West Bengal. This number stood at 1,30,170 till yesterday.

Latest position of destruction of eggs and feed carried out till yesterday stood at 2,28,771 and 46,931 kg, respectively.

Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, at a meeting with the representatives of the poultry industry here yesterday, assessed the economic impact of the bird flu on the poultry industry in West Bengal and in the rest of the country.

Action will be taken to work out a suitable relief package, the release added.

UNI BKS SHB MIR KP1857