# 1473
Despite earlier predictions that it might take several more days before they could determine the exact strain of the virus attacking poultry in West Bengal, major media outlets are now carrying this report:
India confirms new bird flu outbreak is H5N1 strain
Last Updated: 15:24 IST(15/1/2008)
The government confirmed on Tuesday that the latest outbreak of bird flu in poultry in West Bengal was of the virulent H5N1 strain.
"The strain is deadly enough to kill the birds," central Health Secretary Naresh Dayal told Reuters by phone from New Delhi. "Our teams are already there, now people will be monitored for flu-like symptoms and there will be surveillance."
More than 18,000 chickens and other poultry have died in and around Margram village in West Bengal over the last couple of weeks, officials have said.
The BBC this morning has an article describing the actions taken so far in trying to contain this outbreak. This is a small excerpt - follow the link to read the entire story.
Bird flu suspected in India state
(excerpts)
The government has put together 10 "action teams" and asked them to kill all poultry birds in and around the two villages - Margram 1 and Margram 2- over a five kilometre radius.
"Preliminary findings at the federal labraotry seem to indicate the existence of the deadly H5N1 virus in the samples we sent. So we are not taking any chances," said Abhijit Raychoudhuri, a local government medical officer.
But Mr Raychoudhuri said a final report from the laboratory was awaited for more comprehensive action to start.
"So we have been asked to cull the birds and quarantine the area as a precaution. We found that when the birds died last week, villagers had started feasting on it, which can be dangerous," Mr Raychoudhuri said.
Federal health secretary Naresh Dayal said a large quantity of preventive Tamiflu drug has been despatched to the state.
Despite the consumption of a large number of dead or dying fowl, no reports of human infection have reached the media. The Health Ministry plans human surveillance in the affected region as part of their response plan.
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