KOLKATA: A health worker in an Indian state was put in isolation and hundreds of others who had slaughtered chickens to stem an outbreak of bird flu were being monitored, an official said on Friday.

Thousands of people were pressed into culling operations in West Bengal after the presence of the deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu was confirmed last month. The virus has now been found in 13 of the eastern state’s 19 districts.

“More than 500 health workers who were involved in culling have been quarantined as a precautionary measure,” Anisur Rahaman, West Bengal animal resources minister said.

“If anyone has a cold or fever we are sending his blood sample for tests.”

Rahaman said all workers involved in culling would be quarantined for at least a week before being sent home, as slaughtering operations drew to a close with some 2.7 million chickens killed.

One health worker was being kept in isolation after the 28-year-old reported having a fever and was admitted to hospital Thursday night, Rahaman said, adding that the state was awaiting the results of his laboratory tests.—AFP