Chennai: Migratory birds are behind the fresh outbreak of bird flu in Assam, Indian health minister Anbumani Ramadoss said yesterday, adding that culling operations had started in the northeastern state and "inter-country bird movements are under close scrutiny".
"Yes, we are concerned and this new outbreak is mainly due to migratory birds," Ramadoss said.
"We are taking measures to control it, and let me assure that everything is under control. A team from the central health ministry has already gone to Assam and is helping authorities there," he added.
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The minister said he has been keeping a close eye on the development and was closely monitoring the situation along with the animal husbandry department, which is under the central agricultural ministry.
He said all possible help would be provided to the state government in terms of human resource, medicine, masks and other preventive measures.
On Thursday, bird flu was confirmed in Assam after tests confirmed strains of the deadly H5N1 avian influenza. More than 300 birds died in the past week in Kamrup district.
"The culling operation has started and inter country bird movements are under close scrutiny," the minister said.
