13 districts affected in West Bengal due to Bird Flu

South 24 Parganas and Paschim Medinipur have been struck

Parts of two more districts South 24 Parganas and Paschim Medinipur have been struck by avian influenza and spread now is across blocks in the 13 districts of West Bengal. About 15.75-lakh poultry birds have been destroyed. Reports of fresh outbreak in new areas keep pushing upwards the targets set for culling. State as per media report have stated that health authorities prepared to meet any eventuality. The total loss is estimated at more than Rs. 150 crores.

Meanwhile death of 17 cows since Saturday night triggered panic in some West Midnapore villages. Villagers of Rajarbagan, Bisripat, Pathra, Hatihalka and Gobindopur are scared that now the avian influenza have affected their cattle. The samples have been sent for tests to a Kolkata laboratory. The district officials as per media reports feel that the cattle could have been affected by anthrax.