Thaindian News

Shillong, Jan 12 (IANS) A 13-member rapid response team Thursday began culling poultry birds at a farm in East Garo Hills district of Meghalaya after the birds tested positive for the deadly H5N1 virus, an official said.

“The culling operation started this evening, and we are hopeful to dispose of around 560 birds remaining in the government-run poultry farm at Williamnagar,” said Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Director D. Lyngwa.

“We are hopeful that the rapid response team completes the culling operations tonight (Thursday night) itself,” Lyngwa told IANS.

The government had recently sent samples to the High Security Animal Disease Laboratory (HSADL) in Bhopal, after more than 3,000 birds died in the past few weeks at a farm in Williamnagar, the district headquarters of East Garo Hills.

Though there has been no report of the infection spreading to humans, the health and family welfare department rushed a micro-biologist and a pathologist to Williamnagar after the HSADL Wednesday sent a positive report of the H5N1 virus.

“A team of specialists has reached Williamnagar and they will stay there to monitor human health in view of the birds testing positive for H5N1. The government will provide all necessary medicines,” said state medical chief A.C. Hazarika.

Chief Minister Mukul Sangma, who chaired an emergency meeting with top government officials following the detection of bird flu, said the government has taken all steps to prevent further outbreak of the deadly virus.

“We were caught by surprise. The government is trying to find out the link to the outbreak of the virus on the farm from the surroundings or surrounding states,” Sangma told journalists.

The government has asked all districts to monitor the health of all poultry. The movement and sale of poultry and poultry products from the affected area has been stopped.