Deadly bird Flu hits the region of Assam. Authorities of the state have ordered the killing of 40,000 poultry of an estimated 60,000 birds. 
“So far, nearly 40,000 chickens and ducks were killed and the operation is still on in the district of Kamrup since Friday”, said deputy director of the Assam Veterinary department Manoranjan Choudhury. Culling is being carried out in as many as 48 villages that lie within the radius of 5 kilometers of village Thakurchuba in Kamrup district.
The 22 rapid response teams that are engaged are mainly targeting chickens and ducks. As per the expectations, the task should be completed in the next two to three days.
The outbreak of bird flu was confirmed by the Indian Health Ministry last week soon after the laboratory tests found strains of the deadly H5N1 avian influenza. A deadly pandemic will be spread if the H5N1 strain mutates in the human beings. World Health Organization has also expressed its concern over the vulnerable situation.
The virus has already taken a toll of more than 300 birds in the area. With veterinarians carrying out checks on all poultry farms, Assam’s veterinary and animal husbandry department has announced an alert and is maintaining a strict surveillance on all farms in the state. The local authorities are also being helped out by the central health ministry.
