Bird Flu virus has spread to two more regions including Barpeta and Nalbari in lower Assam.

The fresh outbreak prompted the State Veterinary department to start the culling of thousands of chickens in these regions.

The samples, which were sent to laboratories in Bhopal, have tested positive for H5N1 avian influenza.

The State Government has ordered culling operations and Rapid Response Teams (RRT)s have already begun going from house-to-house asking the habitants to give away their poultry birds to them.

Mr. Mukul Das, a culling official said, “Cases of bird flu were reported ten days back, but the laboratory has confirmed now. The epicentres have been confirmed. The bird flu operation has been started.”

Villagers like Montu Ali in Kamrup region were unwilling to hand over their chicks despite the culling officers making them understand the results of the virus spreading further.

Ali, a poultry farm owner said, “They say that they will pay us Rs 20 per bird, but the market price is Rs 22 per bird. This is not justified; we depend on these farms for a livelihood. I dont know what to do. We are not even being given money; they are giving us receipts.”

The district administrations concerned had already imposed ban on sale and movement of poultry in and around Guwahati.

Moreover, the authorities stepped up precautionary measures against the spread of deadly bird flu after such avian influenza cases have been reported in these regions.

India has not reported any human infections so far, though the first outbreak in poultry was reported in 2006 in Maharashtra.