New Delhi, Jan 28 (IANS) While culling continued in bird-flu hit West Bengal, new epicentres have emerged since the government confirmed the virus Jan 14, health authorities said here.

Nearly 125,751 birds have been culled in the state, authorities said.

'Culling of birds has started and so far 125,751 birds have been culled. About 15,453 eggs have been destroyed,' said a statement issued here.

Officials also said the avian influenza is spreading to new areas.

The government notified the outbreak in Hazrabati and Nagar villages in block Khargram of district Murshidabad Jan 14 and since then more epicentres - Haripur, Ninur, Pathai, Jhajra and Sankarpur - have surfaced in the same block, officials added.

State health authorities have also confirmed outbreaks in the Faridpur, Budua, Khorjona, Simulia villages of Burwan block.

'Containment measures have been initiated and about 435 poultry workers and veterinary surgeons are involved in culling operations,' they said.

'The situation is being monitored on a daily basis,' an official added.