H5N1 Spread in Rampurhat West Bengal India
Recombinomics Commentary 22:26
January 15, 2008
The Indian government, meanwhile, said 35,525 poultry in 102 villages of Birbhum as well as 288 birds in a state-run poultry farm in Dinajpur district died in the past seven days but added the outbreak appeared to be localised.
in West Bengal, the disease, it is feared, has spread to at least 150 villages in Rampurhat subdivision of Birbhum.
The above comments indicate H5N1 has spread to over 100 villages in the Rampurhat subdivision of Birbhum (see satellite map). Media reports indicate many of the dead birds have already been eaten, raising concerns of bird flu spread to humans.
The number of villages involved suggests this outbreak may be more serious than previous outbreaks in India. Video of the outbreak shows large numbers of dead crows, raising concern of further spread by wild birds in the area.
More information on the health of villagers and extent of spread would be useful.
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