Bihar government on Monday ordered culling of chicken in three districts of Purnia, Kishanganj and Katihar, adjacent to the bird flu-affected West Bengal, as a preventive measure.

The culling of chicken will be carried out in poultries located in the radius of 5 km near the West Bengal border, following a central government directive.

Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Modi told rediff.com that culling was being carried out as a precautionary measure and that there were no instances of bird flu in the three districts.
 
"Till date not a single case of bird flu has been reported in Bihar," Modi said, reacting to media reports about bird flu deaths in Purnia district.

Last month, the state government had imposed a blanket ban on entry of poultry from West Bengal.

Modi said the government had formed rapid response teams in three districts bordering West Bengal and sent 650 protective equipments for the teams culling chicken. About 10,000 doses of Temi Flu had also been sent to the districts.

Meanwhile, the state government announced a compensation package for poultry owners. The compensation amount has been fixed at Rs 40 per chicken for poultry chicken, Rs 30 for boiler chicken and Rs 10 for chicks.