Bird flu : Central observer visits border

 

COOCH BEHAR, Feb. 1: Today too, the culling drive is being held at Mathabhanga-I block. The Rapid Response Teams are trying to complete the culling of birds as early as possible but it may take a day or two more to declare completion. As the RRT men have to chase chickens in some of the villages in Mathabhanga-I block to catch them for culling the progress being delayed. 16,544 birds were culled in this block till last night. After completion of culling the mop up drive will be launched in those villages.

 

Meanwhile, the Central observer Dr Vijay Kumar who came from New Delhi to supervise and monitor the bird flu situation and the measures taken to combat spreading of the disease visited several affected areas in this district. He is trying to know the actual source of the virus that is from where it came from. Today, he visited bordering areas of Kuchlibari and Tinbigha in Mekhliganj sub-division. He also talked with officials of Border Security Force and inquired about the steps taken to stop illegal crossing of the Indo-Bangladesh border.

 

At Changrabandha Dr Kumar visited the International Check Post (ICP). Here he supervised the spraying of vehicles with disinfectants. As the vehicles come from Bangladesh they may carry the deadly virus of bird flu. It may be recalled here that soon after breaking out of the disease in different areas the district administration had ordered the spraying of incoming vehicles.

 

On the otherhand, Cooch Behar ADM (D) Mr Pannalal Mahapatra said formation of committees at district level and also in the three affected blocks is being done following the instruction of the chief minister. These committees will prepare lists of affected villagers whose birds died of the disease and also culled. The lists will be used to disburse compensation to the affected families. Not only the declared amount of Rs 500 per family will be distributed but also different schemes related to animal husbandry will be launched for their benefit, The ADM (D) said. []