February 27: (UPDATE) Efforts to control the spread of bird flu are in full swing. More than 300 birds have been culled in bird flu affected areas in Pasakha yesterday. The operation is being carried out by about a 50 member team comprising of officials from veterinary, livestock, public health departments and Royal Bhutan Police.

Some 367 poultry birds and 18 ducks were culled yesterday in Chengbari, Nayabasti and upper and lower Torobari villages.

The team also destroyed 117 eggs, dismantled, burnt and decontaminated 47 coops and 14 baskets.

Bird flu has been spreading across the globe for more than six years, killing millions of birds and humans.

In Bhutan, this is the first ever outbreak of bird flu. Even as livestock, veterinary and BAFRA officials work vigorously to combat the spread of bird flu, they are also trying to figure what caused the outbreak.

Quarantine measures like disinfection of vehicles and people in the affected areas are being carried out. 

Meanwhile, to prevent bird flu from entering the interior parts of the country, the Bhutan Agriculture and Food Regulatory Authority (BAFRA) has started disinfecting vehicles and people moving out of Phuentsholing to different parts of the country.