Assam authorities ordered to kill 40,000 poultry as there is deadly bird flu virus in the region. The poultry targeted includes chickens and ducks.

Deputy Director of the Assam Veterinary department, Manoranjan Choudhury said, “Culling operations are on in the district of Kamrup since Friday and so far about 40,000 chickens and ducks were killed.”  

The killing procedure is being carried out in 48 villages in Kamrup district, which is about 40 km west of Guwahati. About 22 Rapid Response Teams are working with the operation and expected to complete the operation in next 2 to 3 days.

The areas of Bogri and Kachumara reported death of more than 100 chickens. Then the district administrations banned the purchase and sale of eggs.

Deputy Commissioner, Kamrup, R N Jain said that the samples had been collected and sent to the laboratories in Bhopal and Pune.

After laboratory examinations found strains of the deadly H5N1 avian influenza, the Indian health ministry confirmed outbreak of bird flu last week.

An alert has been sounded as the avian disease is suspected to be spreading to fresh areas, so the sale and purchase of poultry in all areas of Assam were banned.