Jharkhnad issues alert as bird flu hits bordering West Bengal

Sahibganj (Jharkhand), Feb 6. (ANI): In the wake of the outbreak of avian influenza in bordering West Bengal, the Jharkhand Animal Husbandry Department is taking preventive measures against the flu in bordering villages as issued an alert.

Local authorities, however, are taking necessary measures to prevent the spread of flu from influenza-hit parts of West Bengal. Alert has been sounded in districts like Sahibganj, Pakur and Dumka of Jharkhand.

"We do not have any reported cases of bird flu. Some cases of bird flu have been reported from West Bengal and since it is a bordering area, we have taken our precaution and birds in the adjoining areas of Bengal have been culled," said Shiv Janam Singh, an official, Animal Husbandry Department.

Poultry owners of Sahibganj district were distressed as their birds are dying.

"Within a week, 25 chickens out of 50 died and now the business is down. The flu has spread from Bengal," said Mohammad Kalam, a poultry owner.

The outbreak of avian influenza was first reported on January 14 from Hazrabati and Nagar villages (block Khargram) in Murshidabad district in West Bengal.

More epicentres surfaced in the same block - Haripur, Ninur, Pathai, Dhamaliara and Diara. The state government also notified outbreaks in the Faridpur, Budua, Khorjona, Simulia villages of Burwan Block.

Containment measures have been carried out as per the contingency plan of Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries (DADF).

So far 150,686 birds have been culled and 18,190 eggs have been destroyed in West Bengal. (ANI)