Bird flu spreads in India

Jan 20 2008

The latest bird-flu outbreak in India has now spread to two new districts in West Bengal, Nadia and Bardhaman where more dead birds have been found.

The virus had already been found in Birbhum, south Dinajpur and Murshidabad and the latest outbreak means five districts are now affected.

In an effort to control the spread of the deadly virus, culling has begun in the affected areas but veterinary staff are said to be struggling to cull thousands of birds and are facing of resistance from farmers.

Birbhum is the worst affected area and the number of culling teams there will be increased from 60 to 300.

West Bengal began culling more than 400,000 chickens and ducks in three districts this week but so far, only about 50,000 birds had been culled.

Health workers say hygiene amongst the poor and illiterate villagers is a problem and many remain ignorant regarding bird flu and the risks associated with birds which have died from the virus.

The virus has already killed more than 45,000 chickens and birds in West Bengal in the past two weeks and health workers are being vigilant and watching for people with flu symptoms in the affected areas and a team of doctors have been sent to the affected districts.

This is India's fourth bird flu outbreak in poultry since 2006, but the country has not to date had any reported human infection.