Six hundred and fifty-eight poultry farms in nine upazilas of Khulna district and in the city have been asked to remain on high alert against outbreak of bird flu.

Khulna District Livestock Officer Dr Md Nizamuddin said he has asked all poultry farm owners on Wednesday to take precautionary measures

against spread ofbird flu.

At least 2,000 poultry birds infected with the disease had to be culled in last 12 days in Rupsha upazila of the district andBaniakhamarareaofthecity.

Apart from daily monitoring, we are holding regular meetings at the upazila level to create awareness among the farm owners and the people on how to take preventive measures against bird flu, he said.