Fowl or foul?

Times of India reports that the state of Maharashtra (West Coast of Central India) has confirmed the presence of H5N1 virus [ Saturday, February 18, 2006 09:02:28 pmTIMES NEWS NETWORK ] . The New York Times reports it according to Google News 2 hours later... but mysteriously the content cannot be found.

But then, Times of India [Sunday, February 19, 2006 03:10:00 amTIMES NEWS NETWORK] reports that a poultry expert says that it is NOT avian flu... but a seasonal sickness the chickens get.

So in between these two stories....panic ensues (all reports by Times of India):

8 people admitted to hospital, 20,000 chickens slaughtered

High Animal Disease Lab tells public not to 'panic'

30,000 to 1 million birds might have to be killed

Gov't rushes Vet teams to the city of Surat after Bird Flu reported

It is still not confirmed wheather the avian flu has really surfaced in India. Meanwhile perhaps 1 million birds may meet their fate in an untimely genocide. CNN has not reported the presence of bird flu in India either. Neither has the World Health Organization at this moment.

Don't allow yourself to get caught up in the panic.
Knowledge is the best form of preventative medicine.
Arm yourself and learn:

World Health Organization Avian Influenza Fact Sheet

Center for Disease Control Avian Influenza Current Situation

World Organization for Animal Health