Imphal, July 28: A member of the Rapid Response Team (RRT) set up to contain further spread of avian influenza (bird flu) outbreak died due to consumption of formalin before setting out for the day's rigour of culling birds as part of the ongoing disease containment campaign.

Formalin is said to be 10 percent solution of formaldehyde in water; used as a disinfectant or to preserve biological specimens.

The deceased personnel identified as Salam Babuyaima (56) of Moirang Kumam Leikai was rushed to the State-run Jawaharlal Nehru Hospital, Porompat but failed to respond to treatment.

According to a release issued this evening by the Secretary of Health and Family Welfare, post mortem of the body was conducted at RIMS wherein cause of the dead had been established to be due to formalin consumption.

"Therefore, it is informed to all concerned that cause of dead of the deceased has no relation to avian influenza virus nor to the Tamiflu (Oseltamivir) prophylaxis administered to the deceased as part of the culling team of the Vety& AH Dept for which he had been performing duty since july 26, 2007," mentioned the release.

Babuyaima, a Grade IV employee of the Veterinary department and posted at the Moirang Veterinary Hospital had been stationed at the Sanjenthong head office of the department for the past few days.

His assignment for the day was to accompany a five member RRT squad for the bird culling exercise at Khurai area under one Dr Nimai.

Babuyaima was found in an unconscious state at around 7.30 am today as his colleagues readied to set out for the day's task.

After he was admitted to JN Hospital, doctors pronounced Babuyaima dead at around 9.38 am.

Porompat police station has registered a case on the matter and the body handed over to family members after the post mortem.