# 1534
While the Indian and West Bengal governments continue to reassure the world that they have their bird flu outbreak under control, news reports to the contrary continue to show up.
Typical of the `optimistic' reports, this one released late yesterday assures us that the outbreak was under control and Kolkata (Calcutta) is well protected and safe from the virus.
This is from the Asian Age.
‘No new cases, situation in control’
By OUR CORRESPONDENT
Kolkata, Jan. 24: With no fresh areas coming under the grip of bird flu, the state government on Thursday heaved a sigh of relief. Wary and worried about the impact of the avian influenza in the state’s poultry industry, the government authorities said with Bankura out of the deadly grip of the H5N1 virus and two other districts likely to be immuned soon, it will take four to five days to curb the virus menace in the state.
"The outbreak is under control. There is no report of the disease spreading to new areas," state animal husbandry minister Anisur Rehman said after meeting chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya.
<snip>
He also allayed fears of the virus reaching Kolkata in the wake of reports of the virus outbreak in Hooghly, only 19 km away from the city.
"There is no threat to Kolkata. We are keeping a close watch on the situation." The chief minister directed the state administration to ensure the disease did not envelop Kolkata. All entry points to the city have been sealed to prevent the entry of affected birds.
The deadly bird flu has led to the slaughter of over seven lakh birds in the state, affecting nine of the total 19 districts
Let's review:
- "The outbreak is under control."
- "There is no report of the disease spreading to new areas"
- Officials allayed fears of the virus reaching Kolkata
- "There is no threat to Kolkata."
- All entry points to the city have been sealed
- Virus affecting nine of the total 19 districts
Sounds like it's over, doesn't it? We can all move on to something else.
Well, roughly 15 hours after this optimistic assessment we get this, from the Times of India.
India worst bird flu outbreak spreads
by Sailendra Sil
KOLKATA, India (AFP) - India's worst outbreak of bird flu spread as health authorities battled to stop it reaching the densely populated city of Kolkata amid heavy rain that hampered culling efforts.
Authorities reported the disease had affected two more districts, bringing the number hit by avian flu to 12 out of West Bengal state's total of 19.
Howra, one of the new districts reporting the disease, neighbours Kolkata. The other district was Purulia on the border with the eastern state of Bihar.
"We're afraid bird flu may spread to many areas -- it has already spread to two more districts," said state animal resources minister Anisur Rahaman in Kolkata, which has 13.2 million people, many of whom live in congested slums.
"We've yet to be able to control this disease," he told AFP, adding new outbreaks were being reported in districts affected earlier.
So, despite assurances that the situation was under control, outbreaks have spread to either 2 or 3 (reports vary) more districts, and this morning an Animal Control Minister admits, "We've yet to be able to control this disease'.
Earlier reports that this outbreak is now under control, and Kolkata is `safe' appear to be premature.
But then, I think most of us already knew that.
