The State government has launched control measures and begun preparations for culling more than 1,50,000 birds including ducks and chicken, following the outbreak of Avian Influenza in parts of Alappuzha and Kottayam districts, even as fresh cases were reported from a broiler farm and the bird sanctuary at Kumarakom on Tuesday.
A high-level meeting convened by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy here on Tuesday decided to deploy culling teams in the Purakad, Thalavadi, Kainakari and Aimanam panchayats. A total ban has been imposed on the sale and transport of poultry and poultry products within a 10 km radius of the hotspots. It was decided to procure adequate stocks of preventive medicines and protective gear for the culling teams.
NCDC teamA team of medical experts from the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) is due to visit the State soon to take stock of the situation and assist the State in its efforts to contain the outbreak. Control rooms have been opened in Alappuzha, Kottayam and Pathanamthitta districts and rapid response teams constituted to inspect birds. Mobile teams would also be deployed by the Animal Husbandry Department to prevent transmission of the virus to fresh areas. The Health Department has deployed teams to keep a close watch on the health of the families in the affected areas.
CompensationBriefing reporters after the meeting, Animal Husbandry Minister K.P. Mohanan and Health Minister V.S. Sivakumar said farmers would receive a compensation ranging from Rs.75 to Rs.150 for each bird culled.
Mr. Mohanan said all birds within a one km radius of the affected areas would be culled and incinerated.
Mr. Sivakumar said medical teams had not come across any fever cases in the affected areas so far. Efforts were on to procure preventive medicines from Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.
Dr. V. Brahmanadan, Animal Husbandry Director, told The Hindu that samples taken from the broiler farm and bird sanctuary at Kumarakom had tested positive for avian influenza.
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