May 31, 2007

More bird flu cases detected in northern Bangladesh

Avian influenza continues to spread in Bangladesh as it now been detected in 500 birds in Saidpur upazila (sub-district) after Jaldhaka and Domar upazila of Nilphamari (northern Bangladeshi district).

The birds were detected on Sunday afternoon and ended Monday dawn.

This was the fourth incident of detection of bird flu within 18 days in the district since it broke out on 10 May.

In Jaldhaka upazila, about 6,000 poultry birds were culled in two separate drives on May 10 and 17, and in Domar upazila were 9,000 poultry birds were culled on May 19 and 20.

Dr Sekendar Ali, District Livestock Officer, said some poultry farmers brought samples of some of their dead domestic chickens to the Saidpur upazila livestock office which was previously sent to the Regional Research Centre in Gaibandha, and later to the Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute [BLRI] at Savar in Dhaka for testing.

The BLRI positively confirmed bird flu virus was the main cause of the birds' deaths. 

The upazila administration said it would compensate farmers who would cull their chickens.