Gangtok, Jan 17: About 30 birds, including chickens,
have died at Ravanga locality in South District of Sikkim in
the past two days, triggering fears about a possible outbreak
of bird flu in the state.
Animal Husbandary and Veterinary Services Department
Director K C Bhutia confirmed the death of over two dozen
birds, including chickens, due to unnatural reasons at
Ravangla but declined say if it was due birdflu.
The department was closely monitoring the mortality of
birds, he told on Saturday here and added a report from the central
health authorities was being awaited to confirm whether these
birds have died due to bird flu or other reasons.
Sikkim had banned supply of poultry products from outside
the state last month following the outbreak of bird flu in
Malda district of West Bengal.
The state police had been conducting searches in vehicles
at Rangpo and other checkposts bordering Sikkim to prevent
supply of poultry products from outside.
Bureau Report
First Published: Saturday, January 17, 2009, 00:00