Officials in the Indian state of West Bengal say that the bird flu epidemic has spread to two more of the state’s 19 districts, taking the total to nine.
They say that the spread of the H5N1 virus means that even more chicken and duck will have to be killed than was originally estimated.
On Monday officials said that around 2m birds would need to be culled – a figure that will now rise.
Health experts have warned that the outbreak could get out of control.
The H5N1 strain of bird flu is regarded as highly pathogenic and can also cause disease and death in humans.
However, most human victims have contracted the disease through close contact with affected birds.
There is little evidence that the virus can be transmitted easily between humans.
More… ➡
– “There is little evidence that the virus can be transmitted easily between humans.” Many scientists studying the H5N1 virus feel that the virus could be one or two mutations away from developing a form that would travel easily from human to human – similar to what happened in 1917 when the Spanish Flu swept the world and killed millions.
[…] story Dennis and posted with Elliott […]