H5N1 Confirmed in Calcutta Suburb
Recombinomics Commentary 12:24
January 25, 2008
The HSADL, Bhopal has confirmed positive result for Avian Influenza (H5) in respect of samples from the Sankrail block of Howrah district and Santuri block of Purulia district, Mayureswar –II and Khoyrasole blocks of Birbhum district and Kandi block of Murshidabad district of West Bengal on the basis of rapid tests.
The above confirmation increases the number of the 19 West Bengal districts with confirmed H5N1 to 11. Included is the Sankrail block of Howrah, which is on the west side of the Hooghly River, on the border of Calcutta (see satellite map).
The confirmation of H5N1 in a Calcutta suburb may indicate H5N1 has already moved into the city, in spite of the sealing of its border. Media reports indicate a teal in Santracacchi has died of pneumonia, a complication of avian influenza. Santracacchi is a few miles from the Sankrail block.
The steady spread of H5N1 in West Bengal and adjacent regions remains a cause for concern.
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