Bird flu confirmed in capital city, found in private farm, 2000 chickens and ducks to be culled soon

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Bird flu has been confirmed in Azhoor grama panchayat of Thiruvananthapuram. It was confirmed in a private farm near Perunguzhi Junction in Ward 17 of the panchayat. The presence of bird flu was found in ducks and chickens here. Hundreds of ducks and chickens died here. Ducklings brought from Alappuzha three months ago and chickens brought from Hyderabad were infected.

Antibiotics were first given to them when they fell ill, but to no avail. The samples were sent to the State Institute for Animal Diseases in Palode for further testing and to Bhopal (NIHSAD lab) for further testing. The bird flu was confirmed after the result from there turned positive.

2000 chickens and ducks will be killed
Following the confirmation of bird flu in Azhoor grama panchayat, killing of birds will start from tomorrow. In the first phase, 2000 ducks and chickens will be culled.

Perunguzhi Junction Ward (ward 15) of Azhoor Gram Panchayat which is the epicenter of bird flu, the wards within a radius of one kilometer--railway station ward (ward 17), panchayat office ward (ward 16), Krishnapuram ward (ward 7), Akkaravila Ward (ward 14) and Nalumukku (ward 12) Kottaram Thuruthu (ward 18) will kill all the chickens, ducks and other birds and burn their eggs, meat, droppings (manure) and fodder.

Movement, trafficking and sale of poultry, ducks and birds in and out of the surveillance zone which includes the village panchayats of Kizhuvilam, Kadakkavoor, Keezhattingal, Chirayinkeezhu, Mangalapuram, Andoorkonam, Pothencode, Kazhakoottam in Thiruvananthapuram Corporation and Attinkuzhi area in Attipra Ward within a radius of nine km have been banned. There will be a ban on the sale and movement of eggs, meat, manure and fodder outside these panchayats for three months.

In a review meeting held yesterday, the district collector directed that the Rapid Response Teams of the Animal Welfare Department are taking steps to kill the birds from Monday and that everyone should cooperate. Meantime, the animal protection officer also said that the public should not panic and should be vigilant and should report the information to the nearest veterinary hospital in cases where domestic birds die in an unnatural mass.

Warning

• Gloves and masks must be worn when handling infected or dead birds within a radius of one kilometer from the epicenter of the disease.
• Hands should be washed with soap and water before and after handling chicken meat (raw meat).
• If you notice any unusual death of birds in your vicinity, you should report it to the nearest animal welfare department
• Contact the nearest medical doctor if you experience any physical discomfort after handling the birds.
• Two percent sodium hydroxide solution, potassium permanganate solution and lime should be used for cleaning.
• Avoid half-boiled eggs
• Do not eat half-cooked meat
• Birds should not be bought or sold within a radius of one kilometer from an area where the disease has been confirmed.