国际英语新闻:Authorities order culling of poultry birds in India's Bihar following bird flu outbreak

NEW DELHI, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- The local government in India's eastern state of Bihar Friday ordered culling of over 15,000 poultry birds following confirmation of bird flu, officials said.

The orders were given by department of animal husbandry in Munger district, about 179 km east of Patna, the capital city of Bihar.

"Government has ordered culling of over 15,000 poultry birds in Munger district following confirmation of bird flu," an official in Munger said. "The animal husbandry department ordered culling of birds within one km radius of Sampatchak village in Jamalpur block of the district."

A senior government official in Munger district, Anand Sharma told media this was the second instance of bird culling in the district.

Last month, 588 poultry birds were culled at Gorho village in Asarganj block of the district.

In wake of the outbreak a six-member federal team is visiting Patna to conduct a detailed study of bird flu and take required measures to contain its spread.

The H5N1 avian influenza in the state has so far claimed lives of 200 birds, including seven peacocks and a Khalij pheasant at the Sanjay Gandhi Biological Park, referred to as Patna zoo.

Following the deaths the zoo was closed for public on December 25.

Officials at Patna zoo said the process of immunization and disinfection was initiated inside the zoo following the deaths. However, the zoo is yet to be reopened.

Fresh samples of faecal matter of several dead avian species have been sent for tests to the National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases, Bhopal, officials said.

Meanwhile, health officials have advised people to avoid chicken and poultry products like egg as a precautionary measure in the affected district.