<p>Patna: Around 25 fowls have been culled in Bihar's capital Patna after tests of samples of dead birds confirmed avian influenza infection, a senior health official said on Sunday.</p>.<p>Patna Civil Surgeon Abinash Kumar Singh said it is being examined whether the viral infection has spread among those who work in poultry units.</p>.<p>The authorities have started collecting samples from poultry farms located within a three-kilometre radius of the locality around Veterinary College near the airport here after at least 25 birds were found dead there a few days ago.</p>.<p>"The samples of the dead birds were sent to a laboratory for tests, and the reports confirmed that they died of the H5N1 strain of avian influenza infection. Now, we have started collecting samples from poultry farms located within a three-kilometre radius of the locality around the Veterinary College near the airport. We are also collecting samples of those who are working at these poultry units," Singh told <em>PTI</em>.</p>.Congress leader alleges 'political use' of religious leaders by NDA in Bihar.<p>Some samples collected during the survey have been sent to the laboratory for tests, he said.</p>.<p>"The authorities concerned culled around 25 birds to prevent the spreading of the infection," he said.</p>.<p>Singh also said there is no need to panic as all precautionary measures are being taken by the authorities concerned in the district.</p>.<p>"Patna has not been declared as a bird flu-affected district so far, and steps will be taken accordingly once we get reports of samples which are being collected from poultry farms," he added.</p>.<p>Notably, fear of bird flu gripped Bihar's Jehanabad district after several crows were found dead there recently.</p>.<p>The samples of dead crows were taken from the Police Lines area in the district.</p>.<p>Bihar Health Minister Mangal Pandey on Sunday told reporters that the department is keeping a close watch on the developments.</p>.<p>"The health department is coordinating with other wings of the government in this regard", he added. </p>
<p>Patna: Around 25 fowls have been culled in Bihar's capital Patna after tests of samples of dead birds confirmed avian influenza infection, a senior health official said on Sunday.</p>.<p>Patna Civil Surgeon Abinash Kumar Singh said it is being examined whether the viral infection has spread among those who work in poultry units.</p>.<p>The authorities have started collecting samples from poultry farms located within a three-kilometre radius of the locality around Veterinary College near the airport here after at least 25 birds were found dead there a few days ago.</p>.<p>"The samples of the dead birds were sent to a laboratory for tests, and the reports confirmed that they died of the H5N1 strain of avian influenza infection. Now, we have started collecting samples from poultry farms located within a three-kilometre radius of the locality around the Veterinary College near the airport. We are also collecting samples of those who are working at these poultry units," Singh told <em>PTI</em>.</p>.Congress leader alleges 'political use' of religious leaders by NDA in Bihar.<p>Some samples collected during the survey have been sent to the laboratory for tests, he said.</p>.<p>"The authorities concerned culled around 25 birds to prevent the spreading of the infection," he said.</p>.<p>Singh also said there is no need to panic as all precautionary measures are being taken by the authorities concerned in the district.</p>.<p>"Patna has not been declared as a bird flu-affected district so far, and steps will be taken accordingly once we get reports of samples which are being collected from poultry farms," he added.</p>.<p>Notably, fear of bird flu gripped Bihar's Jehanabad district after several crows were found dead there recently.</p>.<p>The samples of dead crows were taken from the Police Lines area in the district.</p>.<p>Bihar Health Minister Mangal Pandey on Sunday told reporters that the department is keeping a close watch on the developments.</p>.<p>"The health department is coordinating with other wings of the government in this regard", he added. </p>