Bird flu confirmed in Alappuzha and Kottayam

ALAPPUZHA: Bird flu was confirmed in Alappuzha and Kottayam districts. The disease was detected in chickens in Nedumudi, and ducks in Cheruthana, Karuvatta, Karthikappally, Ambalappuzha South, Punnapra South, Thakazhi and Purakkad. Disease was detected in quails in Kurupunthara and Manjoor in Kottayam, and in chickens in Kallupurakkal and Velur.

The arrival of migratory birds is believed to have spread the disease. Avian influenza (H5N1) was confirmed in a sample test conducted at the Bhopal lab. Culling activities will begin soon to prevent the spread of the disease. The Union Ministry of Animal Husbandry has directed the state government to impose strict surveillance within a radius of ten kilometres and to intensify surveillance across the state to see if the infection has spread. Meanwhile, those who farmed chickens and ducks to mint profits during the Christmas season have been hit hard.