Pathanamthitta on alert after bird flu outbreak; panchayat begins preventive measures

PATHANAMTHITTA: The health department of Kerala on Sunday confirmed yet another bird flu outbreak in the state. Avian flu was confirmed at the Government Duck Breeding Center in Tiruvalla Niranam, Pathanamthitta. The confirmation report was given by the Institute of Virology, Bhopal.

A few days back, many ducks died at this duck breeding centre in Niranam. Following this, the samples were sent to the Virology Institute for testing. Panchayat officials have confirmed about starting preventive measures in the wake of the bird flu confirmation. A review meeting will be held on Monday under the leadership of the Collector to take further action.

Bird flu was also confirmed in Thazhakara in Alappuzha on Saturday. The disease was detected in a group of ducks brought for feed in the Thazhakara region. There are almost 10000, 70-day-old ducks here and among them, 3000 died last day.

With the confirmation of bird flu in the state, checks have been intensified at the Kerala-Tamil Nadu borders. A team from the Animal Welfare Department has been deployed at check posts including Walayar on the Tamil Nadu border. All vehicles, including goods wagons from Tamil Nadu, Andhra and Karnataka, will be checked and disinfected before passing through. The Department of Health has intensified measures to prevent the spread of bird flu.