Hundreds of hens culled in Amethi to check bird flu

Amethi: Hundreds of hens and other birds including ducks and pigeons were culled Monday in different villages of Bazar Shukul block in Amethi district to check the spread of bird flu, a senior official said.

The killings were done under the surveillance of a high powered committee formed by Directorate of Uttar Pradesh Animal Husbandry department to check the spread of dangerous viruses of the killer disease, Bazar Shukul livestock officer Dr Saket Yadav said.

Yadav said that the campaign may continue for two months.

District Magistrate of Amethi Jagat Raj Tripathi has asked the people not to worry as administration is vigilant on this issue.

Yesterday, UP Chief Secretary Alok Rajan has directed all divisional commissioners and district magistrates to initiate preventive measures in their areas to minimise possible adverse effects of the bird flu.

This was followed a warning by an expert team that confirmed a "highly pathogenic avian influenza" outbreak in Amethi, where 350 birds, chicken and ducks died of a mystery disease on March 6-7. The incident occurred in the villages of Chandgarh and Sare Ka Purwa.