Culling to begin in Mathabhanga from Tuesday

 

COOCH BEHAR, Jan. 27: Samples taken from dead chickens collected from Baro-Khalisamari village of Kursamari Gram Panchayat in Mathabhanga-I block tested positive of bird flu virus. When culling operation in Dinhata is going smoothly and the officials concerned are getting ready to heave a sigh this news came as a heavy blow to them this afternoon.

 

The district magistrate of Cooch Behar Mr Rajesh Kumar Sinha said as the samples from Baro-Khalisamari village tested positive of the deadly virus the rapid response teams will start culling operations in that area from Tuesday. At present fifty RRTs are working in Dinhata and thirty were kept reserved. These thirty teams will be deployed tomorrow in Mathabhanga-I for culling of about 25,000 domestic birds, the DM said.

 

On the otherhand, about 13,500 chickens, ducks and pigeons were culled during the first two days in Dinhata-I block. Here, the target of culling is 70,000. Fifty RRTs are doing the job in Gitaldaha-I and Gitaldaha-II blocks. Culling operation was completed in Jaridharla and Daribash villages yesterday, claimed Cooch Behar ADM (D) Mr Pannalal Mahapatra. Samples sent from these two villages were tested positive of avian flu virus.

 

The ADM (D) said the RRT men are now conducting culling in four Gram Panchayat areas including Okrabari and Gobrachhara in Dinhata-I and Dinhata-II blocks within five-kilometre radius of the two affected villages today. Achieving of the target may take two or three days more, he said.

 

It may be mentioned here that a report arrived here yesterday confirmed that no samples sent from this district except from Jaridharla and Daribash tested positive. But today the situation turned otherwise.

 

Meanwhile, Anasristi, an organisation of science conscious youths, started an awareness drive on bird flu at Kalabagan and Khagrabari in Cooch Behar today. As many residents of these areas keep chickens and ducks the members of Anasristi conveyed them the dos and don'ts to avoid the deadly disease and what to do in case of its outbreak. Secretary of Anasristi, Mr Sumanta Saha said they requested the residents to maintain cleanliness. They also sprayed lime and bleaching powder in the drains. []