New Delhi: Over 26,000 poultry birds have been culled in West Bengal's bird-flu hit Murshidabad district, a health ministry official said here.
The Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries, which comes under the ministry of agriculture, notified the avian influenza outbreak in Hazrabati and Nagar villages in Murshidabad Jan 14.
"Culling of birds has started and so far 26,963 birds have been culled and 1,286 eggs have been destroyed," said a statement issued here.
The Union Health Ministry has stationed a three-member central rapid response team at Murshidabad to assist the state health authorities.
Officials said that containment measures have been initiated. "Situation is being monitored on a daily basis," the statement said.
About 353 poultry workers involved in culling operations have been put on chemoprophylaxis - a medicine given to prevent the disease or infection from spreading to humans.
IANS
First Published: Wednesday, January 20, 2010, 22:00