Suspected bird flu outbreak has Bengal on alert, final report awaited

Alerted by the Bhopal-based High Security Animal Disease Laboratory, the West Bengal government is bracing itself to contain a possible outbreak of avian flu at Margram in Birbhum district.

Preliminary results of tests taken after some 10,000 backyard poultry died in Margram over the past 10 days showed they were infected but it was unclear if it was the deadly H5N1 virus.

Thousands of birds in the country were culled in 2006 following separate outbreaks of the deadly H5N1 virus in Maharashtra.

Bangladesh, which borders West Bengal, is still reeling under bird flu with around 21 of the country’s 64 districts affected by the deadly virus.

West Bengal Minister for Animal Resource Development Anisur Rahman told The Indian Express today: “We sent samples to the Bhopal laboratory which, in its preliminary report, suggested that it could be avian flu. They advised us to take all possible measures to prevent it from spreading. I have asked the district administration to stop the exchange of poultry to and from the area. I have also sent several officials to the spot. The Centre, which has been apprised of the situation, has also sent an official there. Tomorrow, if we get the confirmation in the final report, we will order culling of birds.”

State Director of Health Services Sanchita Bakshi said no alarm had been sounded. “Around 500 birds have died. We have sent samples for testing at laboratories in Delhi and Bhopal. We are waiting for the confirmation,” Bakshi said.

But Birbhum Zila Sabhadhipati Manasa Hasda maintained these were cases of avian flu. “We have already received the report from the Bhopal laboratory. They have confirmed that it is a case of bird flu. Bird trade going in and out of Birbhum will be stopped,” said Hasda, adding that 25 mobile vans will be deployed from tomorrow to spread awareness on avian flu.