Bird flu control measures continue in states neighbouring Bengal

New Delhi, Feb 20 (UNI) The HSADL, Bhopal has not reported any more samples testing positive for Bird flu from any part of the country, including West Bengal, the government said today.

According to information available at the Central Monitoring unit, no unusual mortality was reported in WB yesterday.

The latest report brings out that a total of 173 Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) were engaged in tackling the desease which includes 19 for surveillance or mopping and 154 for disinfection and sanitisation. The cumulative culling of poultry birds is 39.05 lakh.

The cumulative total eggs and feed destroyed till yesterday stood at 14,90,785 and 80,033 Kg respectively.

There is also no change in the amount of compensation of Rs 8.40 crore paid to the affected families which was reported yesterday.

In Assam, the poultry depopulation operation in the identified zone has been completed on February 13.

Out of three districts in Bihar, culling has been completed in Purnia and Kishanganj districts. There are five blocks in Katihar district involved in the preventive culling. The exercise has been completed in four of the five blocks. The task also expected to be completed in the remaining block today.

In Jharkhand, culling has been completed in Jamtara district.

The exercise is currently in progress in Pakur district, which is also expected to be completed by tomorrow.

No culling has yet been taken up in Orissa.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued guidelines to the banks this month for implementation of relief measures for poultry industry. These include, one year's moratorium on repayment of outstanding loans, conversions of working capital loans into term loans and reschedulement of term loans.

UNI BKS SP AS1726