2008 H5N1 outbreak in West Bengal

The 2008 bird flu outbreak in West Bengal was an occurrence of avian influenza in West Bengal, India which began on 16 January 2008. The infection was caused by the H5N1 subtype of the Influenza A virus and impacted at least thirteen districts, including Birbhum, Nadia, Murshidabad, Burdwan, Hooghly, Cooch Behar, Malda, Bankura, Purulia, Howrah, West Midnapore, South 24 Parganas and South Dinajpur. A range of precautions has been instituted including a large cull of chickens, eggs, and poultry birds, the imposition of segregation zones, and a disinfection programme for the plant. The government put a blanket ban on the movement of poultry birds from West Bengal.

Causes

The initial causes were not determined, but a high poultry density followed by a moist cold climate had led to the quick spread of the virus. With the highest population density in India, West Bengal had a high risk of the deadly virus spreading to humans. As per other accounts, bird flu had spread to half of the state due to delayed action, bad planning and mismanagement by Government of West Bengal. In many villages, people led by ruling party leaders resisted culling operations.[1]. Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar had slammed the Communist Party of India (Marxist) government for not reporting the bird flu epidemic early on. Shortage of staff for culling operation is one of the other reasons.

Spread

At least eleven districts of West Bengal, including Birbhum, Nadia, Murshidabad, Burdwan, Hooghly, Cooch Behar, Malda, Bankura, Purulia, Howrah, West Midnapore, South 24 Parganas and South Dinajpur were affected by bird flu.

Timeline of Spread

District	Date of Confirmation
Birbhum	16 January
South Dinajpur	16 January
Murshidabad	17 January
Burdwan	19 January
Nadia	19 January
Bankura	20 January
Malda	21 January
Cooch Behar	23 January
Hooghly	23 January
Howrah	24 January
Purulia	24 January
West Midnapore	27 January
South 24 Paraganas	27 January
Darjeeling	10 May