# 1650
Given that the restrictions on the sale, trade, and consumption of poultry in these states have been difficult to enforce and largely ignored, the decision to ease some of these edicts after a week is understandable.
While new reports of poultry deaths in India continue to come in, they are greatly reduced from the levels of 2 weeks ago. Authorities are hopeful they have, at least for now, brought this crisis under control.
Indian state hit by bird flu lifts poultry ban
Tue 12 Feb 2008, 13:36 GMT
KOLKATA, India, Feb 12 (Reuters) - Authorities in eastern India on Tuesday largely lifted a ban on the trade, transport and consumption of poultry, imposed a week ago as part of efforts to stamp out a bird flu outbreak.
Sales were first banned in the 13 of West Bengal's 19 districts where the H5N1 virus had been detected, but the restrictions were later extended to the whole state as officials tried to ensure there would be no further outbreaks.
Anisur Rahaman, the state's animal resources minister, told reporters that officials considered the outbreak which began last month was under control.
He said restrictions on poultry farming would continue in parts of Birbhum and Murshidabad districts, which first reported the outbreak.
