India on bird flu alert

India has confirmed an outbreak of bird flu in West Bengal and asked the state to seal its borders with Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal to contain the spread of the disease. The disease is apparently confined to only two districts, Birbhum and South Dinajpur, and mostly to backyard poultry. The state reported the death of more than 35, 000 birds in 102 villages of six blocks of Birbhum district and 288 poultry in a farm in South Dinajpur district last week. However, no human infections have been reported so far. This is not the first time bird flu has broken out in India. In 2006, the spread of the H5N1 virus was confirmed in Nandurbar district of Maharashtra. After the culling of a large number of birds and other preventive measures in both cases, India was declared free from bird flu. After a joint monitoring meeting of the agriculture ministry and the health ministry, authorities said West Bengal was also advised to seal the border with neighbouring countries so that there is no movement of animals across these borders. The government said that human health surveillance would start soon. It also claims that adequate manpower and medicines are being made available to the state government to start the culling operation. Funds are also available for compensation to the affected farmers. Health ministry officials have admitted that there was a delay in sending the required protective gear to be worn by cullers and health officials in the area. However, they confirmed that it had now been dispatched to West Bengal. In case the state needs more masks, these will be air-lifted. The culling operation has started today, Wednesday. The panel estimates that it may take about a week or so to clear the area of bird flu.