Despite advances in controlling the virus, recent avian influenza outbreaks in more than a dozen countries reveal that it remains a global threat, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) warned on Thursday.

"Globally, much progress has been achieved in keeping the H5N1 avian influenza virus under control," said FAO Chief Veterinary Officer Joseph Domenech, noting that great strides have been made in the past three years. "Surveillance, early detection and immediate response efforts have been bolstered and many countries have been able to eliminate avian flu from poultry

ird flu has struck in India. The bird flu virus has spread out to nine of the 19 districts of West Bengal: Burdwan, Birbhum, South Dinajpur, Murshidabad, Nadia, Malda, Bankura, Cooch Behar and Hooghly. The virus was first detected in Birbhum district two weeks ago.

The state government has earmarked the release of $80.5 million to prevent the disease from further spreading. The World Health Organization (WHO) earlier said it was India's most serious outbreak since the strain first hit the country two years ago

A poultry farm with 25,000 birds reported deaths of 153 birds, confirmed by the Ukrainian State Committee for Veterinary Medicine as bird flu. The H5N1 strain was discovered at the Lobzenko poultry farm located at the Rivne village.

After health authorities had confirmed the presence of Avian flu, the farm was closed, the village sealed and guards were stationed to ensure the area was quarantined. The Ministry banned the export of birds from the region

The eastern state of West Bengal started on Wednesday the culling of almost 400,000 chickens confirmed to carry the bird flu. To prevent the spread of the flu virus, the Indian government ordered its borders with Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal closed to ensure there will be no cross-border transfer of animals and birds.

Pradip Kumar, Secretary for Animal Husbandry, said the bird flu virus was found in two districts of West Bengal, in Birbhum and Dinajpur. He added, medicines are being distributed all over the state, especially in affected areas

Scientists at Kansas State University fear that migratory birds from the north will mix in the summer breeding grounds and spread avian flu when they fly south for the winter.

The pathogenic strain of avian influenza - also referred to as H5:N1 - has been reported in Southeast Asia and a handful of European countries, but not in the U.S