Bird flu confirmed in Alappuzha, Kottayam districts: Forest Minister K Raju

Thiruvananthapuram: Minister for Forest and Wildlife, K Raju, has informed that new cases of bird flu have been confirmed in the state. A large number of ducks were found dead in Kottayam, Alappuzha districts. It was after the samples of these ducks were tested that bird flu was confirmed in Kerala, K Raju stated.

The disease was confirmed in Nedumudy, Thakazhi, Pallippadu and Karuvatta regions of Alappuzha district and in Neendoor of Kottayam district. The minister also informed that all the birds within one kilometre radius of the disease infected region will be culled. As per statistics, more than 38,000 ducks will have to be culled.

The ducks were found dead in large numbers from December 19 in certain regions of Alappuzha district. However, this was neglected by the farmers due to Christmas. Up to 7,000 ducks owned by a single farmer died at once.

Following this, Mannuthy Microbiology Department in Thrissur district tested the samples and stated that it was bacterial infection. It was later, when the samples were sent to Bhopal for expert testing, that bird flu was confirmed. Apart from ducks, no other bird has been reported with bird flu as of now.

Bird flu was confirmed in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan the other day. Authorities have initiated efforts to identify all those suffering from fever in these areas. 

Meanwhile, the central government has instructed the states to collect samples from areas infected with swine flu.