World | India
Authorities prepare to cull thousands of chickens in Assam
Authorities in the northeastern Indian state of Assam prepared to cull thousands of chickens on Wednesday after a fresh outbreak of bird flu in poultry was detected, a senior official said.
- Agencies
- Published: 11:04 December 3, 2008
Guwahati: Authorities in the northeastern Indian state of Assam prepared to cull thousands of chickens on Wednesday after a fresh outbreak of bird flu in poultry was detected, a senior official said.
“Yes, bird flu has spread to new areas, we are getting ready to start culling in those areas shortly," Ashim Kumar Kakoty, a top veterinary official in Assam, said.
Over the weekend, 40,000 chickens and ducks were be slaughtered in an operation spanning around 20 villages, after bird flu was discovered in one of them, just 35 kilometres west of Guwahati.
Authorities were worried about a new outbreak after some poultry deaths were reported in Palasbari, also close to Guwahati.
"The newly affected areas cover about 20 villages," Kakoty said.
The sale and transport of poultry in and around Guwahati has been banned and precautionary measures stepped up in other parts of the state.
Health workers have moved to affected areas to check people for any flu-like symptoms.
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