As avian flu stalks in Bengal, the administration is clueless regarding the number of birds’ deaths. The state Animal Husbandry Department (ARD) puts the figure of bird death to a meagre 20 in Narhatta in Malda, whereas the local panchayat claims it to be over 5,000.

The state government, meanwhile, said results of tests conducted on dead birds in Narhata village confirm the bird flu. “The samples we sent to the laboratory in Bhopal have tested positive. Though only 20 birds have died so far, we are preparing the Rapid Response Teams (RRT) to combat the situation,” said Dilip Chakraborty, Principal Secretary (ARD).

On the other hand, N K Sit, Deputy Director of ARD in Malda, said: “Only 11 birds died last week. Our team went there and collected blood samples from three of the dead birds.” Akram Hussain, sabhapati of Narhata Panchayat Samity, however, said : “ I have visited the villages and found many chickens lying dead. At least 5,000 birds have died in the last few days.” He added: “The villagers do not how to dispose the dead birds and are just throwing them away.”

The unnatural deaths of nearly 200 domestic birds, meanwhile, were reported from Budhia, a village bordering Narhata on Monday.

The district administration held a high-level meeting on Monday, presided over by Malda District Magistrate Sridhar Ghosh.

“We have asked the Malda district magistrate to cordon off the affected areas and start culling operations from Tuesday,” Chakraborty said.

According to the district administration, 40 RRTs are being prepared for the culling operations. The administration is procuring specialised suits and gloves and arranging medical teams to tackle the situation.

Interestingly, ARD officials pointed at Bangladesh as the source for the outbreak. “Many villagers visit their relatives in Bangladesh during the festive season and exchange domestic and backyard poultry. When the avian flu broke out in January there was a festival and now it was Durga Puja and Diwali. These are the probabilities as we are yet to find out the root cause,” said Chakraborty.

In January, avian flu had broken out in Margram, Birbhum and spread to almost all districts of south and north Bengal. The state incurred a loss of 500 crores due to the menace which continued till September.