Indian priest says West Bengal residents afraid as bird flu worsens

Published: 2008-01-29

CALCUTTA, India (CNS) -- Mohammad Ostagir sat with his head in his hands. "Everything is ruined," the 45-year-old Muslim said, gazing at a culled chicken. Ostagir is one of thousands of people whose lives are affected by the avian flu that began to spread in eastern India's West Bengal state in mid-January, reported the Asian church news agency UCA News. A Catholic priest in one of the affected areas said people need guidance, because 1.57 million fowl had been destroyed by Jan. 29, and the government intended to cull more. About 125,000 birds have died of the disease. "People are afraid and are wondering. They are lost. They need guidance and proper awareness of the tragedy that has struck," said Father I.P. Sarto, who heads the social services agency of the Asansol Diocese in West Bengal state. Ostagir told UCA News that as "panicky people" begin to shun chicken meat, his "daily bread is hit." He sells chicken at a market in Calcutta, the state capital.

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