Nearly 30 ducks were reported dead on Wednesday morning at a private farm at Kuzhiapadam in Kalady that borders Manjapra grama panchayat.
The paddy fields and the canal between Karingalikkadu and Kuzhiapadam were the place where the ducks were being farmed for eggs by T. D. Paulose. The farmer is left with 145 birds from about 500 he had two months ago. He said 170 birds had died in the last five-six days.
Chief Veterinary Officer of the district P. Devarajan, who led the team that examined the birds, collected samples for laboratory verification of the disease affecting the ducks. The Animal Husbandry department collected 9 samples, five from live and four from dead birds. The results would be out in two days, said Dr. Devarajan.
However, preliminary inspections do not suggest the birds died because of bird flu that had affected other neighbouring districts, he said. The birds were not showing the typical symptoms of Influenza A H5N1 strain virus that has been reported from Alappuzha.
The Kalady grama panchayat president K. B. Sabu, other members of the panchayat, the veterinary surgeon at Kalady Dr. Sandhya, staff at the Animal Husbandry department and the Health squad from the Kalady Community Health Centre had visited the farm early and informed the district authorities about the incident.
Dr. Devarajan told The Hindu that they had prescribed a medicine against a bacterial infection that is more likely to have affected the birds in the farm. The Kalady veterinary officer would follow up, he said.
Kalady panchayat president Mr. Sabu has instructed the people not to use the canal for bathing and washing clothes till it is disinfected. He has also instructed the farmer to burn the dead birds using petrol and to watch other birds in the flock for any disease symptoms.
A team from the Community Health Centre at Kalady visited the affected area and distributed protective gear to people who handle the birds. Oseltamivir (better known by its brand name Tamiflu) has been prescribed for those exposed to the birds and who have common cold symptoms.
People may seek medical care for suspected bird flu infection at the Kalady community health centre.
