Meghalaya Sounds Bird Flu Alert

Shillong, Feb 20 : Meghalaya has sounded an alert following an outbreak of avian flu in Tripura and Bangladesh, deputy chief minister, who is also the Animal Husbandry minister, Bindo M Lanong said on Friday.

"All veterinary officials, especially those posted on the Bangladesh border, have been asked to keep a close watch and take all possible preventive measures," he added.

Lanong said there has been no confirmation of any unusual mortality of birds in the state, especially in areas bordering Bangladesh.

At least 3,000 poultry, including chicken and ducks, were culled on Friday in a state-owned poultry and within its three km radius here following outbreak of bird flu in Tripura.

In Bangladesh, more than 50,000 poultry birds have been culled since last month.