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H5N1 Spread In Malda West Bengal
Recombinomics Commentary
11:39
December 18, 2008
According to reports, around 900 domestic birds have died in Chandmoni I and II and Baharal.
The above comments strongly suggest H5N1 has spread from Englishbazar in Malda to Ratua Block I, which is on the border of Bihar (see zoomed map). H5N1 has been confirmed in Narhata in the northeast corner of Englishbazar, which is less than 20 km from Ritua Block I (the two blocks are separated by Ritua Block II).
Although H5N1 has not been confirmed in Ratua, the proximity to Englishbazar coupled with the large numbers of dead chickens and ducks, as well as hundreds of crows, supports the spread.
Bihar is on high alert, and protective culling is being discussed. In early 2008, when H5N1 was widespread in West Bengal, Bihar and other districts adjacent to West Bengal, including Assam and Meglahaya, instituted protective culling. Although H5N1 was not officially confirmed in these adjacent regions, many had unnatural poultry deaths and were likely H5N1 infected (see 2008 map).
Spread from Englishbazar would not be unexpected. Thousands of poultry had died in multiple villages prior to the start of culling, and dead birds were widespread and consumed by villagers, dogs, and crows.
In addition, H5N1 has been confirmed at two locations in northern Bangladesh, and the number of confirmed outbreaks in Assam has been large, and unnatural deaths have been reported in many areas throughout Assam (see updated map).
Additional spread is expected.
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