Kolkata, Jan 19: The Central Government has expressed its dissatisfaction with West Bengal Government’s efforts to curb bird flu which has spread to more areas in the State.

Minister of State for Health Panabaka Lakshmi said that the Centre was not "satisfied" with the steps taken by the West Bengal Government.

State Animal Resources Minister Anisur Rehman claimed there were signs of "overall improvement" in the situation just a day after Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee described the bird flu situation as "very serious".

Rehman said State had a target to cull 400,000 chickens within seven days out of which 60,000 to 70,000 have been culled already.

He said trained volunteers armed with gloves, aprons and masks will carry the dead chickens and villagers are asked not to carry dead birds with bare hands, he said.

The deadly disease broke out in Birbhum and South Dinajpur districts of West Bengal and later spread to some new areas in the adjoining Murshidabad district.

Central officials said reports were negative for bird flu in Purulia, Cooch Behar and Nadia.

Meghalaya has sent blood samples of chickens for testing, following the outbreak of bird flu in neighbouring West Bengal.

Meghalaya Chief Secretary Ranjan Chatterjee said, "Extra check gates have been set up along the borders with Bangladesh and neighbouring states to check entry of infected birds." (ANI)