Assam: Bird flu alert, culling of birds likely

Guwahati: An alert has been sounded across Assam following detection of bird flu virus in Dhubri district, a top police official said on Saturday.

A Bhopal-based forensic laboratory confirmed that the samples sent to it for testing was positive and the district administration has taken steps for immediate culling of birds in 14 villages in Agomoni area of the district, Deputy Commissioner Sunil Dutta said.

The target includes the culling of 30,000 birds and the process was initiated in two villages today with the entire process likely to be completed within the next four days, he said.

Rapid Action Force personnel have been deployed for the purpose, he said, adding that compensation to the poultry owners would be paid according to the rates fixed by the government.

Meanwhile, the state government has directed the Forest Department to take precautionary measures.