# 1613
While maintaining that the outbreak in that state is `nearly under control', and insisting that there have been no human cases of bird flu detected, West Bengal authorities have decided to ban the poultry trade in that state until further notice.
That means that poultry may not be sold, or consumed, in the state of West Bengal until further notice. This includes the 5 districts where the bird flu virus was never detected.
This report from Reuters.
Indian state bans poultry trade due to bird flu
05 Feb 2008 10:19:14 GMT
Source: Reuters
By Bappa Majumdar
KOLKATA, India, Feb 5 (Reuters) - Authorities in eastern India banned the trade and consumption of poultry on Tuesday to stamp out an outbreak of deadly bird flu that officials said was now nearly under control.
"We have decided to ban consumption and sale of poultry throughout the state until further notice," Anisur Rahaman, West Bengal's animal resources minister, told reporters.
Previously, poultry sales had been banned in the 13 of West Bengal's 19 districts where the H5N1 virus had been detected, but now the ban was extended to all the state as officials tried to ensure there would be no further outbreaks.
More than 3.4 million birds have been culled in West Bengal since the H5N1 virus was first reported last month, state officials said.
