Bird flu detected in Madhya Pradesh

Madhya Pradesh: The H5N1 virus strain has made its way to Madhya Pradesh.

Seven samples in Jalgaon and one sample in Burhanpur district Ichhapur village have tested positive for avian flu.

Samples have tested positive from the following areas in Jalgaon - Muktainagar, Parola, Bhadgaon, Dharangaon, Palji, Raaver and Chopada.

Officials and the District collector are in a meeting to decide on the further course of action.

Teams of cullers and vaccinators had been formed when the birds died and have been circulating in districts of the state to try and contain the spread.

Culling operations in Jalgaon will begin on Wednesday morning.

Nearly 80 chickens had died died in poultry farms in Ichhapur village, Burhanpur district earlier this month and this had prompted the authorities to conduct tests on the dead birds.

However, there were other reports that stated that over 400 birds had died.

Samples had been sent to the High Security Animal Disease Laboratory in Bhopal to ascertain the cause of death.

The supply of poultry from Burhanpur to other districts has been stopped.

Over 400,000 birds have already been culled in Maharashtra and Gujarat to prevent the spread of the disease.

(With inputs from agencies)