ALAPPUZHA
: The district is in the throes of another
bird-flu
scare. The viral infection was confirmed in
Kuttanad
, on Wednesday, where it was detected in
Kainakary
. This is second time that
avian influenza (
H5N8
) has been confirmed in the district this year.
Saif Ali Khan Health Update
According to officials, at least 500 birds, including ducks, have died in Kainakary. “The presence of the virus was confirmed after samples of the dead birds were sent to National Institute of High-Security Animal Diseases (
NIHSAD
), Bhopal, for analysis,” district collector A Alexander said.
The administration has constituted a ten-member rapid response team (RRT) to cull birds within a 1km radius of the affected area. Five teams have so far culled 305 ducks, 223 chickens and destroyed 42kg of feed in wards 10 and 11 of the
grama panchayat
.
A veterinary doctor is spearheading the RRT. It has two livestock inspectors, two attenders, a revenue official, a panchayat official, two police official, and two workers as its members.
A high-level meeting chaired by Alexander decided to take all necessary steps to bring the disease under control.
A standard operating procedure has been issued to officials selected for culling. The carcasses of culled birds are to be burned.
The collector has directed Kainakary grama panchayat authorities to provide firewood, diesel and sugar for the process.
Earlier in the month,
bird
flu was confirmed in Nedumudi, Thakazhi, Pallippad and Karuvatta grama panchayats. This was followed by the culling of 49,958 birds.
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