Imphal, January 07 2009: A large number of domestic fowls (hens) have reportedly died over the past few days in Misao Lhanvum village located near Khuga Dam in Churachandpur following outbreak of Colibacillosis, E-coli even as more than 40 villagers have been hospitalised with symptom of high fever.

Taking serious note of the matter, the Director of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry and the Director of Health Services have studied the situation.

In connection with hospitalisation of many villagers, the officers, have, however, ruled out any relation with Bird flu.

On receiving the report yesterday on the dead of many hens, specialist (disease) of the Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Department Dr Konsam Gopal was despatched to the village for collection of the dead fowls' samples.

Talking to mediapersons in this connection today, Director of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Th Dorendro informed that the collected samples have been examined at the Disease Investigation Laboratory of the Department and confirmed that the hens have died from Colobacillosis, E-coli.

Explaining that Colibacillosis, E-coli is a disease of the hen common in winter and rainy season, the Director said that some of the affected hens have been cured after administering tetracycline.

The Director further informed that in all 16 hens have reportedly died in the village in between January 4 and 6 .

Dissuading the apprehension over possible outbreak of Bird flu that led to the dead of the domestic fowls, the officer said that the dead of the hens in the village have nothing do with Bird flu.

Nonetheless, as part of the Bird flu surveillance, the Department would be sending the samples of the dead hens thus collected to the Eastern Regional Disease Diagnostic Laboratory for further examination.

In view of the outbreak of Bird flu in Assam, import of poultry products including hens, eggs, chicks and chicken feeds from Assam is currently under restriction.

According to the Director, there are in all 100 hens and 47 ducks in the village located at a distance of 7 kms from Churachandpur district headquarters.

There are in all 70 households with a population of 486 people in the village.

On the other hand, Health Director W Motilal have clarified that hospitalisation of over 40 villagers in the District Hospital of Churachandpur is due to high fever and it has nothing to due with Bird flu.

The patients are being treated with paracetamol and antibiotics and four of them have been discharged from the hospital today.

The Additional Director (Public Health) Dr Th Bhubonchandra who had gone to the village today also reported back that no symptom of Bird flu have been detected from any of the patients, the Director added.

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