Bird Flu confirmed at Sadar subdivision in Darjeeling

Siliguri, May 16 (UNI) The dreaded Avian Influenza has been confirmed at Pulbazar and Bijonbari areas under Sadar subdivision of Darjeeling district.

Darjeeling Sub-Divisional Officer S Rangarajan said here today that the blood samples had been sent to the High Security Animal Diseases Laboratory, Bhopal, following unnatural deaths of several birds in the area and the presence ot the H5N1 virus was confirmed yesterday.

Meanwhile, the district administration held a meeting to take stock of the situation.

About 20-25 teams would begin the culling operations in the areas from May 18, officials said, adding that 15,000 birds would be disposed of within three days.

UNI XC DPM/src1617