Kerala: Bird Flu Outbreak Reported Among Ducks At 2 Places In Alappuzha

The bird flu outbreak was confirmed after duck samples with symptoms were examined and sent to a laboratory in Bhopal for analysis.

An official from the district administration said that the samples tested positive for avian influenza (H5N1). ( Image Source :Pexels )

A bird flu outbreak among ducks has been reported in two places in Alappuzha district of Kerala. The outbreak was confirmed after samples of ducks with symptoms sent to Bhopal lab for testing turned out to be positive for avian influenza (H5N1).

The officials confirmed the presence of bird flu among ducks in specific areas of ward 1 in Edathva Grama Panchayat and ward 3 in Cheruthana Grama Panchayat on Thursday. The disease was identified following the examination of duck samples with symptoms, which were subsequently sent to a laboratory in Bhopal for analysis, according to a report on PTI.

An official from the district administration said that the samples tested positive for avian influenza (H5N1).

Talking to The Hindu, Sajeev Kumar K.R., the Animal Husbandry officer for Alappuzha District, confirmed the detection of the H5N1 subtype of the Influenza A virus among ducks in the Kuttanad region, specifically in Edathua and Cheruthana.

According to the protocol outlined in the Government of India's action plan, a meeting presided over by the District Collector decided to begin the process of culling domestic birds within a one-kilometer radius of the outbreak's epicenter.

A Rapid Action Force will be established, and necessary preparations will be expedited by the Animal Welfare Department, stated the official.

The district administration reassured the public emphasizing that there is no cause for undue alarm as the disease is not transmissible to humans.