Patna tests negative for H5N1 in human samples

All five human samples from those involved in culling chickens at the ICAR Research Complex in Patna tested negative for the H5N1 bird flu virus. This follows the detection of the virus in dead birds on the campus. The samples were collected on March 10 and sent for testing. Health officials noted that while they encouraged more staff to get tested, only five volunteered. No new bird deaths have been reported in the area, and weekly sanitization is ongoing. The health department has provided 200 anti-viral medicines for distribution as needed.