Bird flu: 21,537 domestic birds to be culled on Friday

ALAPPUZHA: With several ducks getting infected with the highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1, the Alappuzha district administration has come up with measures to bring the situation under control. It has been confirmed that several ducks in Kodappunna of Edathua Panchayat and the third ward of Cheruthana Panchayat in Kuttanad were infected with H5N1. Following this, the district administration has announced that over 21,000 domestic birds within a kilometre radius of the affected areas will be culled on Friday. The sale of chicken and eggs has been banned in bird flu-affected areas. The shifting of birds to other places has also been banned, the meeting led by the District Collector said.

Ducks had died in large numbers in Edathua and Cheruthana in Kuttanad the other day. Following this, three samples were sent to a lab in Bhopal for testing. The results of all three samples turned positive later. It is in this situation that it was decided in a meeting presided over by the District Collector to start the process of killing domestic birds within a radius of one kilometre of the affected areas.

Although the H5N1 virus mostly infects birds, it can also infect humans. Direct contact with infected birds, their droppings, or contaminated surfaces can lead to the spread of the virus. H5N1 infection is not easily transmitted to humans. However, if humans get infected by the virus due to any reason, the death rate can go up to 60 percent.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the main symptoms include cough, sore throat, runny nose, body aches, headache, fatigue, and shortness of breath. Diarrhea and vomiting are also important symptoms.