The Hindu : National : No fresh case of bird flu, says Centre

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No fresh case of bird flu, says Centre

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: The government on Friday said there were no fresh reports from the Bhopal-based High Security Animal Disease Laboratory of any sample testing positive for avian influenza virus from any part of the country, including West Bengal.

A total of 1,455 people have been detected with fever and upper respiratory tract infection within 3-km radius of the affected blocks, of which two had a history of exposure to infected poultry. These cases are being followed up but there are no suspected human cases of avian influenza, according to an official spokesperson.

Preventive culling operations are progressing very well in Assam, where a total of 47,548 birds, of a target of 89,254 birds, have been killed.

The target in Bihar is 4.70-lakh birds and the numbers culled so far is 31,667. Jharkhand is in the process of identifying the priority areas for culling. Orissa’s plan of action is awaited.

22,177 birds culled

A total of 158 Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) were engaged (39 for culling, 41 for surveillance and mopping up and 78 for disinfection and sanitisation). The teams culled 22,177 birds till February 7, taking the cumulative figure to 36.15-lakh, according to the Union Agriculture Ministry officials.

The number of eggs and feed destroyed stood at 14,84,804 and 79,946 kg respectively. Unusual death of 106 birds on Thursday was reported from North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas and Nadia districts.

This takes the cumulative mortality of 1,33,096 poultry birds from Birbhum, Dakshin Dinajpur, Murshidabad, Nadia, South 24 Parganas, Burdwan and Bankura.

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