India Expands Chicken Cull

NEW DELHI - Feb 21/06 - SNS -- The Indian government is widening the cull area for chickens in an effort to eradicate the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain of avian influenza detected in the state of Maharashtra.

The initial control plan called for a cull in a three kilometer radius of the village where the infected chickens were found. That cull involved an estimated 700,000 birds. It will now be expanded to 10 kilometers and another 100,000 birds.

In other steps to prevent spread of the disease, especially from poultry to people, the Indian government ordered its railways to immediately stop serving poultry products to passengers.

"Instructions to this effect have already been issued to all zonal railways and to Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation Ltd. (IRCTC)," the government said.

In making the decision, the government said the H5N1 strain of avian influenza is "highly contagious" and "infection occurs though contact with poultry (chicken and eggs) and chances of infection among the catering staff handling raw meat and eggs, and the passengers in the present circumstances is very high.

"A close watch is being kept on the progress of the disease in other parts of the country and further orders will follow depending upon the progress of the disease."