Commentary
H5N1
Spreads to Five Districts in Assam India
Recombinomics Commentary
22:01
December 5, 2008
Prevalence of bird flu virus among the poultry populations of Katajhar and Dumuni has been confirmed by official sources here. Though the villages were located in the undivided Barpeta district, now they are located in Baksa district after the demarcation of the BTAD boundary.
The above comments indicate H5N1 has now spread to five districts in Assam. The initial outbreak was in the Hajo revenue circle of the Kamrup rural district. New outbreaks in the outskirts of Gauhati in or near the Palasbari revenue district moved the H5N1 into the Kamrup metro district. These outbreaks were followed by reports of dead poultry in the Barpeta district. The above confirmations indicate H5N1 has been confirmed in Barpeta as well as adjacent districts of Nalbari and Baksa (see updated map).
The rapid expansion of H5N1 from one district to five has caused panic in Assam because more outbreaks are expected as the temperature drops. Last season, poultry began to die in West Bengal in mid December, but the first OIE report was not filed until January 15. This season the first OIE report was filed at the end of November and followed the November 20 filing by Bangladesh. Last season record numbers of outbreaks were reported in West Bengal and Bangladesh. The early start this season raises concerns that similar levels will be seen this season.
Although on one human case was confirmed in Bangladesh last season, the number of H5N1 last season as well as this season was or will be markedly higher.
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