The Animal Husbandry Department has intensified disease surveillance and emergency response measures across the State, following the outbreak of Avian Influenza (bird flu) in Karnataka earlier this month.
“Kerala is not really at risk, as the disease is confined to Bidar district in the north-eastern part of Karnataka bordering Maharashtra. Besides, Kerala mostly depends on Tamil Nadu for its poultry imports. Yet, we are keeping a close watch on the situation and are ready with all possible precautionary measures,” Animal Husbandry Director S. Chandrankutty said.
Poultry movement through border check-posts is being screened, and the State Animal Disease Monitoring Committee is keeping a tab on the situation.
Bird serum samples collected from the State are being referred to the high security Animal Disease Laboratory in Bhopal and the Southern Disease Diagnostic Laboratory in Bangalore for analysis.
Focus on Kuttanad
Surveillance has been stepped up in Kuttanad and Pathanamthitta where two outbreaks of Avian Influenza (H5N1) occurred in 2014, with the virus killing thousands of birds. Droppings of migratory birds are also being investigated for bird flu.
Dr. Chandrankutty said rapid response teams, comprising livestock inspectors and officials from the Health Department and local bodies, are active in all districts.
“We have ensured adequate stocks of preventive medicines and protective gear for disease control experts are ready,” he added.
Following the outbreak of bird flu in Bidar, the Karnataka government had sounded a state-wide alert and deployed teams to cull over 1,00,000 birds in poultry farms.
On Sunday, the Tamil Nadu government banned the import of poultry and poultry products from Karnataka to prevent cross-border transmission of the disease. Experts point out that Alappuzha district, where duck rearing is widespread, is especially susceptible to Avian Influenza since domestic ducks, one of the primary reservoirs of the H5N1 virus, are responsible for the spread and outbreak of the disease.
