The authorities believe they have the outbreak of bird flu, which forced the ban, under control and surveillance is continuing on the human population to ensure the disease does not spread to people living in the areas, according to the Health and Family Welfare Department of Government of West Bengal.

The government says that there have been no new areas of outbreaks since 2 February, when 48 blocks and five municipalities of 14 districts were declared to have the disease.

"A total of 3357 health personnel engaged in community fever surveillance and 3010 cullers and ARD staff/volunteer engaged in culling, mopping and disinfection have been medically examined. Cullers and ARD staff have been given prophylactic Tamiflu," said a West Bengal government spokesman.

"Central and State Rapid Response Teams, senior State health officers and faculty members of the medical colleges are engaged in surveillance activities at all the affected districts."

The government now says that they have finished culling and are clearing up the areas.

The latest figures from the region show that more than 3.7 million birds have been culled nearly 1.5 million eggs destroyed and more than 80,000 kg of feed destroyed.