West Bengal: H5N1 still spreading in Darjeeling

Via The Statesman: Bird flu confirmed in Bijanbari. Excerpt:

The H5N1 strain of avian influensa has surfaced in Bijanbari Block in Darjeeling sub-division.

According to the Darjeeling DM, Mr Rajesh Pandey, the Bhopal based High Security Animal Disease Laboratory (HSADL) has confirmed the outbreak after testing the samples sent from Bijanbari on 11 May.

“The HSADL report has reached us today. A meeting of the officials concerned has been convened at the Darjeeling district collectorate tomorrow and hopefully, we would be able to begin culling operations from Saturday,” Mr Pandey said.

With the flu outbreak at Bijanbari, the number of bird flu hit sub-divisions in the hills has now raised to two. Earlier on 8 May, bird flu was confirmed in a few fringe villages of Mirik Block in Kurseong sub-division.

The Matigara and Naxalbari Blocks in Siliguri subdivision were also declared bird flu hit on the same day.