# 1479
While it appears that officials may have been caught flatfooted in West Bengal - taking more than a week to respond to the poultry die off there - neighboring states are beginning to take steps they hope will protect themselves.
NE on alert, seals border to check entry of birds
Press Trust Of India
Shillong, January 16, 2008
Last Updated: 17:00 IST(16/1/2008)
With West Bengal hit by bird flu, North Eastern states have sounded an alert and sealed borders to prevent entry of birds into the region.
All the NE states sharing borders either with Bangladesh or with West Bengal have alerted the borders to prevent entry of birds following instruction from the Central government, official sources said.
Meghalaya Animal Husbandry and Veterinary director Dr D Khonglah said check points in the entire stretch of the 443 km of Bangla border have been put on high alert.
Quick response teams in the state have been conducting preparedness drills, while required aid and medicines are kept ready, Khonglah told PTI.
