Officials confirmed the presence of deadly H5N1 virus in Sikkim's South district. High Security Diseases Laboratory in Bhopal confirmed the presence of the deadly virus in samples of 30 birds that were sent to it for testing.

Animal husbandry and veterinary services department joint director K C Bhutia said: "We are awaiting the arrival of a Central team following which the culling operations would start in the affected region in which between 5,000 and 8,000 birds will be culled."

Bhutia added that besides the culling operations, measures had been taken to prevent supply of poultry products from Ravangla locality to other parts of the state.