A culling operation began on Monday in Budge Budge, barely 40 kms in Kolkata, showed how and why the dreaded H5N1 virus is spreading so fast in West Bengal. Utter mismanagement and a lack of will and equipment characterised the entire operation.

Over 24 hours ago, the virus was detected among the stock in a farm in Chowk Kashipur village in Budge Budge, Block II.

On Monday, the Animal Resource Development (ARD) department officials began the culling of chickens and ducks within a 5 km-radius of the village.

No district official was in sight to guide the cullers, who had little idea where to start. All they had been told was that a number of five-member teams will have to move simultaneously, culling each and every bird that came their way.

“The BDO is not here, nor is the gram pradhan. What are we supposed to do? We have been standing here in our protective gear, but have no idea where to begin,” said Indrajit Naskar, a member of ateam deployed at South Baoali village. The ARD officials begged for assistance from the locals to help identify the houses that kept poultry.

Though 90 officials had formed 18 teams, only six teams were present on the ground till 3 pm.