Kerala: Central team visits avian flu-hit areas in Alappuzha

ALAPPUZHA: A three-member central team deployed to assess the situation after the outbreak of avian influenza (H5N8) and study the Covid-19 preventive activities visited Alappuzha on Thursday.
The team consisted of Ruchi Jain, public health expert, Union ministry of health and family welfare, Shailesh Pawar, scientist, National Institute of Virology, Pune and Dr Anith Jindal, physician, Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, Delhi.
The team that reached collectorate on Thursday morning conducted discussions with Alappuzha district collector A Alexander and collected details about the present status of the district. The collector handed over them a report regarding details of bird flu situation and Covid-19 status in the district. The collector informed them that over 20 farmers in the district suffered losses due to the outbreak of bird flu. He also explained the culling activities.
The collector informed that the rapid response team (RRT) of the district administration has culled 43,206 ducks and destroyed 32,550 eggs. District animal husbandry officer P K Santhosh Kumar made a presentation about the culling activities and the symptoms of the birds infected by the virus. District medical officer L Anithakumari informed about Covid-19 prevention activities in the district. Over 50,000 persons tested positive for Covid-19 in Alappuzha till date, the central team was informed.
The team visited bird flu-affected places — Karuvatta, Pallippad and Thakazhi. The central team will study and submit a report on the bird flu spread, the features of the virus and the culling methods in tune with the guidelines of the central government. The team is also studying the public health risk of H5N8.
The team inspected the culling in ward 15 of Karuvatta grama panchayat, inquired about the standard operating procedures (SOPs) from doctors of Karuavtta health centre and panchayat vice-president T Ponnamma. The team has also collected details regarding the Covid-19 preventive activities and other information for their detailed study.
Bird flu was confirmed in Nedumudi, Thakazhi, Pallipad and Karuvatta grama panchayats in Alappuzha and Neendoor in Kottayam. This is the third outbreak of avian influenza in Alappuzha in the last seven years.