Bird flu confirmed in Bishalgarh subdivision of West Tripura

Agartala, Apr 25 (UNI) With reports of bird flu striking afresh in the Bishalgarh subdivision of West Tripura, the state government is trying its best to prevent the spread of the dreaded disease, inching closer towards the capital city.

State Animal Resources Department (ARD) Director A.Roy Barman said here yesterday, ''The presence of the H5N1 virus has been confirmed in the Nadilagh area of Bishalgarh subdivision as the blood samples, which had been sent to the High Security Animal Diseases Laboratory, Bhopal, on April 21, tested positive of the disease.'' The new area that has come under the grip of Avian Influenza is only 30 kms away from Agartala.

Bishalgragh is third area in Tripura in less than two weeks to have come under the grip of the deadly disease.

The ARD took up a number of measures to contain the spread of the disease by alerting the Border Security Forces (BSF), erecting check gates at different locations and preventing the transport of infected or dead birds.

''We have asked the BSF to be on high alert in the bordering areas so that the illegal entry of chickens and ducks from Bangladesh can be stopped. Besides, Tripura police is keeping a close eye on the temporary check gates erected in strategic locations,'' the ARD Director said.

Meanwhile, culling operations in the Mohanpur block under West Tripura began yesterday with more than 4,439 chickens and ducks culled and a target of disposing of another 55,000 birds within the next five days in eight villages had been set.

ARD officials said a high-level meeting will be held here today to take stock of the situation in the state.

UNI XC DPM AB 1026