Massive outbreak of bird flu in the neighbouring state of West Bengal has sent alarm bells ringing in Assam. As epidemics know no geographical barriers, adequate precautionary steps are the only way to combat it. To keep the dreaded bird flu at bay, the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department of the State has undertaken a slew of measures. The steps include ban on import of poultry products and free poultry zone in the two border districts of Dhubri and Kokrajhar. The move to create a free-poultry zone has resulted in mass bird culling operation in the two border districts. Over 50,000 poultry have been ordered to be culled in Kokrajhar district alone. In Dhubri district, the department has targeted over 35,000 birds to be culled. Such precautionary steps are indeed necessary to prevent the outbreak of bird flu. But there is a flip side to it too. Although there are a good number of organised poultry forms in the State, a major segment of the trade is being carried out by the non-organised sector. A significant section of the villagers with their backyard poultry farms earn a livelihood by being engaged in this trade. Along with poultry there are many who are involved in the egg business. The outbreak of bird flu has dealt a crippling blow to those for whom poultry trade is the only source of sustenance. Though the Government has paid compensation to those farmers whose poultry have been culled, it is quite meagre. The compensation is not enough to put them back into business. With the public pressing panic buttons, there are hardly any takers for poultry products in the State. Though there is no report of any outbreak of the disease from any part of the State, the sale of poultry products have plummeted to a record low. Considering the gravity of the situation, the authorities at the helm should chalk out a comprehensive package to bail out those engaged in the poultry trade, both in the organised and non-organised sector. The authorities should also monitor that the farmers get the com pensation for the poultry that has been culled. The poultry farmers do need the support from the authorities to cope with the unexpected loss. If the authorities don't come forward with a revitalisation package, there would be few takers in the poultry trade which has a great employment generation potential.