During the culling and moping operations, 4 culling members have come down with influenza-like symptoms in Malda last evening. One of them, Mohd Ellius (40) from satgharia was in a very serious condition. He had high fever and breathing problem, so he was admitted to the isolation ward and kept under observation. Chief medical officer of health (CMOH) Srikanta Roy said, “He does not have respiratory problem or influenza symptom so far. But we have kept him in the isolation ward for observations.”

Other 3 members of culling and mopping operations were also reported to have fallen ill. In the course of anti-Avian Flu operation, one of them, Mr Khagen Sarkar, had fallen sick, and is now recovering. Roy said. “He worked today in the field of his own accord as he feels all right,”

Other 2 with the same name ‘Mohd Sazzad’, one from Satgaria and another from Sujapur, fell ill. According to the health officials, the illness of both the labourers is not related to the culling operation. “Both were asthma patients and fell ill owing to the cold. They joined duty at the control room today,” said a health official.

According to The Malda CMOH, around 112 people were reported to be suffering from colds and coughs in the 3 km radius of Satgharia in English Bazaar. Dr Srikanta Roy said, “This report has been sent to the state health department headquarters. No one has so far been identified as suffering from fever in the affected area.”