Over 44,000 poultry birds were culled in West Bengal's bird-flu hit Murshidabad district, officials said Thursday.

'The situation is being monitored on a daily basis. So far 44,967 birds have been culled and 3,352 eggs destroyed,' said a statement issued here.

The outbreak of avian influenza was notified in Murshidabad district Jan 14. Since then, officials said, two more epicentres have surfaced - Haripur and Ninur in the district. On Jan 17, Faridpur village of Burwan block was also notified as avian-flu hit.

To monitor the situation, the union health ministry has stationed a three-member central rapid response team at Murshidabad to assist state health authorities.

Bird flu normally infects only birds and, less commonly, pigs.