Patna, Jan 22: The Bihar government has banned the import of poultry from West Bengal following the spread of bird flu in the neighbouring state, officials said Tuesday.

Official sources in the state animal husbandry department said the government has put a blanket ban on the import of chicken and eggs from West Bengal.

"It is bound to affect their business but we cannot risk the spread of bird flu virus in Bihar," an official said.

Bihar's Kishanganj and Katihar districts share a border with West Bengal's Birbhum and South Dinajpur, which have been affected by bird flu.

Official sources said all the borders have been sealed to check the entry of poultry items into Bihar.

Kishanganj District Magistrate Sridhar Cherevellu said the administration has been alerted and precautionary measures were being taken.

"Measures have been initiated for decontamination of both the government and private poultry farms," said Anil Kumar, assistant manager of the Bhagalpur regional poultry farm.

However, medical consultant A.K. Sinha said there was a risk of avian influenza spreading in Bihar because of migratory birds, which were being hunted and sold by some people.

Animal husbandry officials in Patna have given a clean chit to the poultry sector after conducting tests on randomly selected chickens.

Civil surgeon Shabbir Ahmad said Kishanganj Medical College and Hospital has been put on alert.

"The hospital is fully prepared to provide necessary treatment if any symptoms are found in human beings," he said.

(IANS)

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