In response to an outbreak of avian flu in Kerala’s Alappuzha district, Rapid Response Teams (RRT) from the Animal Husbandry Department (AHD) are gearing up to conduct extensive bird culling operations on Friday.
The affected regions of Kuttanad, particularly Edathua and Cheruthana, are slated for targeted intervention, with approximately 21,000 ducks earmarked for culling alongside all domesticated birds within a one-kilometre radius of the outbreak epicentres. The decision follows the confirmation of the H5N1 subtype of the Influenza A virus in ducks belonging to three farmers, triggering alarm bells among local authorities and livestock handlers. The gravity of the situation prompted the AHD to swiftly assemble eight RRTs to oversee the culling process, with four teams designated for each hotspot.
Notably, the outbreak has already inflicted significant losses on duck farmers, with reports indicating a rapid escalation in duck mortalities over the past week. Abraham Ouseph, Raghunathan Chirayil, and Devarajan T., prominent duck rearers in the affected areas, collectively suffered substantial losses, underscoring the urgency of containment measures. To stem the spread of the disease and safeguard public health, District Collector Alex Varghese announced a series of stringent measures, including bans on the movement, sale, and consumption of meat, eggs, and waste from ducks, chickens, and other domestic birds across several gram panchayats and municipalities in Alappuzha, Kottayam, and Pathanamthitta districts.nWhile assuring the public that there is no cause for panic, the AHD emphasised the importance of vigilance and adherence to precautionary measures. A control room has been established in Alappuzha to coordinate response efforts, and citizens are encouraged to report any suspected cases or concerns to the provided contact number. As Kerala grapples with the bird flu outbreak, concerted efforts are underway to contain the spread of the disease and mitigate its impact on both the local economy and public health.
