The animal husbandry department officials are fretting over the 5,000 ducklings sourced from Alappuzha just ahead of the avian flu outbreak and distributed in Ernakulam district.
The department had sourced from approved nurseries in the Alappuzha district and distributed them to 28 institutions spread across the four taluks of Kochi, Kanayannur, Kunnathunadu and Muvattupuzha. Institutions in Vypeen had received a major share of distribution held in October-end.
As culling of thousands of ducks progresses in Alappuzha, Kottayam, and Pathanamthitta districts, the animal husbandry department is keenly watching the behaviour of the ducklings.
The birds were distributed under the Duck Propagation and Duck Egger, a State government plan project. The project has been suspended in the district following the outbreak.
“Till now there are no signs of infection in these ducklings. We have asked our officials to be alert,” a senior official told The Hindu .
With birds contracting avian influenza virus likely to show symptoms in 18 days, department officials expect the symptoms in these ducklings to emerge very shortly in case they are infected.
The department had opened an emergency cell at the district head quarters alongside rapid response teams at taluk-level.
Sites frequented by migratory birds are under surveillance and steps have been taken to collect samples of droppings for testing. Movement of poultry across district borders has been banned and the public has been asked to report any unusual behaviour in birds to veterinary officers.
