May 15, 2007

India poultry, duck samples test negative for bird flu

India said Monday (May 14) the samples of poultry and ducks drawn after an unusually high number of deaths in two provinces have tested negative of the dreaded bird flu.

The samples were drawn from the eastern state of West Bengal and southern state of Kerala.

In West Bengal, the unusual poultry deaths were reported from one of the farms on May 5 and May 6, totalling 2,500 birds.

In Kerala, around 2,000 ducks died in a span of five days around April 27.

"The samples were taken to the High Security Animal Disease laboratory where they tested negative," a government statement said.

No further unusual mortality of birds has been reported from the two places, it said.