30,000 birds to be culled as avian flu hits Alappuzha and Kottayam

Kottayam/T'puram: Bird flu (H5N1) was confirmed in eight panchayats in Alappuzha and in three places in Kottayam, prompting authorities to take preventive action, particularly culling of more than 30,000 birds. In Alappuzha, the flu was reported from Thakazhi, Karthikappally, Karuvatta, Punnapra South, Purakkad, Cheruthana, Nedumudi and Ambalapuzha South panchayats. In Kottayam, infection was detected in ward nos. 37 and 38 of the municipality and ward no.5 of Manjoor panchayat.An emergency meeting chaired by Alappuzha district collector Alex Varghese decided to implement measures as per the Union govt's 2021 Bird Flu Prevention and Control Action Plan. Animal husbandry department, with the support of local bodies, has set up rapid response teams and made preparations to cull around 20,000 birds within a 1km radius of the outbreak centres. District collector Chetankumar Meena chaired a meeting in Kottayam which decided to intensify preventive measures. Infected birds and other domestic birds within a 1km radius will be culled on Friday. Around 3,500 poultry died due to the disease in a broiler farm in ward no. 37 of the municipality and the entire 6,500 poultry were wiped out in another farm in ward no. 38. Around 1,000 quails died at a farm in Veloor. Around 12,000 birds, including nearly 6,000 found in a 1km radius of the affected regions, have to be culled.Minister holds meetingHealth minister Veena George, who convened a meeting, said "Vigilance should be maintained at the field level and everyone should adhere to the health department's guidelines."Animal husbandry minister J Chinchu Rani said no restrictions have been imposed on the consumption of poultry products so far."However, after further analysis, if required, steps such as restriction on the consumption of poultry meat will be announced," she added.Meat from birds in non-infected areas can be consumed if cooked well and eggs should be boiled. Avoid consuming half-boiled eggs.Bird flu, or avian influenza, is a viral disease that affects birds and has the potential to spread to humans. The disease can affect all birds, including chickens, ducks, quails, geese and turkeys. Those in close contact with infected birds, caregivers and those interacting with domestic birds must exercise full caution to prevent infection.Symptoms in birds include excessive feather loss, laying eggs with thin shells, reduced egg production, lethargy, reluctance to eat, blue discolouration in combs, wattles and legs, diarrhoea, swelling in the eyes and head, nasal discharge with blood, respiratory distress, difficulty walking or standing and pinpoint bleeding under the skin. The district collectors have urged the public to remain vigilant and report unusual mass death of birds, if there are any, to the nearest veterinary hospital. Safety precautions such as masks and gloves should be worn while handling dead birds. Carcasses should be buried in deep pits with disinfectants like lime and bleaching powder. Biosecurity measures should be ensured in poultry farms.The disease spreads through migratory and seabirds. Symptoms appear within 3-5 days of infection, often resulting in mass mortality.