Avian flue spreads to Tripura; Culling from tomorrow

New Delhi, Apr 7 (UNI) The Centre has ordered culling in Tripura from tomorrow after confirmation of infection of avian influenza there in a test carried out by the High Security Animal Disease Laboratory, Bhopal.

The Laboratory has confirmed positive result in respect of one sample collected from Mohanpur village in Kamalpur sub-division of Dhalai district in the north-eastern state yesterday, the Health Ministry said here this evening.

The focus of infection is just half a kilometer from the international border.

A notification has been issued to the state Government and others concerned.

The central and state officers have already reached the affected area and formulated a plan of action to launch control and containment operations against the disease.

The area of infection has been sealed and no movement, to and fro, of poultry and poultry products is being allowed. The required number of Rapid Response Teams have already been constituted.

The culling operations will start tomorrow and involve 15,000 to 20,000 poultry birds, mostly in backyard. These are likely to be completed in three days.

The local administration, in association with veterinary authorities, have already started holding meetings in the area to sensitize the villagers about the disease.

UNI NAZ RL RAI2031