Expanded H5N1 Culling in West Bengal India
Recombinomics Commentary 11:05
January 16, 2008
Following news of poultry deaths that emerged on 12 January, culling has started in Birbhum and South Dinajpur districts, with West Bengal administration officials saying culling has also begun in the adjoining districts of Maldah and Mushidabad.
The number of birds on the culling list for these four districts would be near the 300,000 mark, said the Union agriculture ministry, with more than 30 tonnes of feedstock also slated to be destroyed.
The above comments describe expanded culling in West Bengal, India (see updated satellite map). H5N1 has been confirmed in Birbhum and South Dinjapur, but H5N1 has also been confirmed across the border in Bangladesh, so the outbreak may have already spread well beyond the confirmed region.
Media reports suggest chickens began dying in Birbhum a month ago. Dead crows, pigeons, and owls have been noted in the region. The expanded culls include areas between the two confirmed locations, as well as areas between the Birbhum outbreak and the Bangladesh border, which is just 20 miles from the outbreak.
Bangldesh has also reported dead poultry just across the border from the South Dinjapur outbreak, so sealing of the border may not limit spread.
More details on culled locations and dead birds in the expanded regions would be useful.
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