West Bengal government has confirmed a highly pathogenic strain of bird flu in Birbhum and South Dinajpur districts of the state.Authorities are now waiting for a nod from the Centre to begin culling of around 3.5 lakh birds.
According to the agriculture ministry, around 100 villages in Birbhum and a poultry farm in South Dinajpur districts have been affected with the H5N1 strain of the virus.
The authorities in the state were standing by, since Monday in anticipation of the official confirmation of an outbreak.
This followed overnight reports that close to 18,000 birds had died in the area on Monday in addition to 10,000 chickens that have died in the past 11 daysCulling will be carried out within a five km radius of the affected area and the owners will be compensated with Rs 40 per bird.
The health ministry is presently holding a crucial meeting in Nirman Bhawan, New Delhi in order to decide on the future course of events.Meanwhile, South Dinajpur and Murshidabad districts have been put on alert as panic has set in amongst the residents.
60 rapid response teams are in the area, replete with masks and tamiflu tablets, the only drug available to treat bird flu.
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