25.02.2006

India detected avian influenza in two farms in the country's western district of Surat in Gujarat state, close to the area where infections were confirmed a week ago, said A.D. Negi, joint commissioner, of the national animal husbandry department.
Gujarat is located next to Maharashtra, where an outbreak of avian influenza last week prompted the culling of hundreds of thousands of birds.
Maharashtra, where the outbreak was detected Feb. 18, ended the culling of fowl Feb. 23 and began paying compensation to farmers.
About 251,000 fowl were culled in Maharashtra and Gujarat over four days. Indian authorities have quarantined the Navapur area in Maharashtra and restricted the entry of outsiders to the poultry-farming belt.