The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Thursday warned that an outbreak of bird flu in eastern India was far more serious than two previous outbreaks, as officials reported more poultry deaths, according to Channel News Asia.
More serious risk factors are associated with this current outbreak than previously encountered, including that the affected areas are more widespread and because of proximity to extended border areas, the organisation said.
The warning came as Anisur Rahaman, animal resources minister in West Bengal state, where the outbreak was reported, said the virus had spread to settlements around the village where the first poultry deaths came to light.
– Reports have reached us that hens have started dropping dead in several villages surrounding Margram. We are worried over the situation. We have sought more help from the federal government, Rahaman said.
Health officials are engaged in culling 400,000 birds in several districts of India’s heavily populated West Bengal state bordering Bangladesh, which is also struggling with the virus.
The slaughter started after India’s agriculture ministry confirmed that the death of an estimated 35,000 birds in West Bengal was due to the deadly H5N1 strain.
About 8,000 birds were killed on Wednesday, the first day of the cull, Rahaman said, adding officials were facing resistance from bird owners.
