Bird flu resurfaces in Manipur

Imphal: Bird flu or avian influenza has resurfaced in northeastern state of Manipur and the culling of poultry fowl began on Monday, official said. Manipur Chief Secretary P.C. Lawmkunga told reporters: "Samples of sick poultry birds from the ICAR (Indian Council of Agriculture Research) poultry unit at Lamphelpat were found to contain H5 strain of avian influenza virus." He said the Bhopal-based National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases has confirmed the outbreak of Avian Influenza at the poultry unit of ICAR."