Maharashtra's animal husbandry department has sent a few blood samples to the Disease Investigation Section of the state government in Pune, and the High Security Animal Diseases Laboratory, Bhopal, following deaths of about 250 birds in different parts of Marathwada region in the past few days, the department's regional director Dr R K Jondhale said Tuesday.

Atleast 150 deaths have been reported from Wadavali in Paithan tehsil of this district and another 100 at Kalamnuri in Hingoli district.

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Dr Jondhale told reporters that samples have been sent for tests as a ''precautionary measure'' even though the bird deaths in the region appeared to be natural. This has been done since the deaths were around the same period when the bird flu broke out at Nawapura tehsil in Nandurbar district a fortnight ago.

Dr Jondhale, however, said there is no cause of panic. A team of the department has rushed to the spots, he said.

Meanwhile, deputy commissioner Dr J M Doiphode, who is camping at Paithan, said there is no similarity in the bird deaths in Martahwada and Nawapur.

The blood samples had been sent to Bhopal as a precautionary measure, he said adding that even a few live stock could be sent to HSADL shortly.