India, May 7 -- By Shalini Bhardwaj

New Delhi [India], May 7 (ANI): The recent culling of over 150,000 chickens after an outbreak of H5N1 avian influenza or bird flu in Maharashtra's Navapur has once again triggered concerns regarding the possibility of human transmission.

In light of the outbreak, Dr Rajeev Bahl, Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), asserted that the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and the ICMR are closely monitoring the spread of H5N1 avian influenza in the state.

"The National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) and Indian Agricultural Research Institute (ICAR) are closely monitoring ...