# 1575
In sharp contrast to the guardedly optimistic assessment provided by Dr. David Nabarro in my last blog, the West Bengal government is pleading for help from the United States and China in combating their bird flu crisis, claiming that it is `spreading at an alarming rate'.
Indian state calls for foreign help in bird flu battle
KOLKATA, India (AFP) - India's bird-flu hit state of West Bengal appealed to New Delhi to allow the United States and China to come to its aid in battling the disease, an official said on Wednesday.
The deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu has now been found in 13 of 19 districts in the eastern Indian state of 80 million people since the outbreak began two weeks ago and bird deaths in new areas have been reported in the last day.
"We need foreign help to stem the deadly virus, which is spreading at an alarming rate," said West Bengal animal resources minister Anisur Rahaman, who has also expressed fears the disease could soon show up in humans.
"I have urged the chief minister to have talks with the federal government so that we can approach the United States and China for help."
Both countries have already offered to assist the state, local reports have said.
"We have an experience that bird flu spreads very quickly so it needs to be tackled fast," said United States Ambassador to India David C. Mulford, according to a report in the Indian Express Tuesday.
"It has to be nipped in the bud before it moves forward."
