The confirmation of avian influenza at Chennithala Thripperumthura grama panchayat has forced the district administration to extend the first phase of the ongoing culling operations by a day.
Thirty rapid task force teams have been deployed for containment measures in the region. District Collector N. Padmakumar, who visited the area, said culling of ducks was expected to conclude on Monday in the affected area. Culling was undertaken at Eramanjoor, Vazhakoottam, Kadavu, Pallipattu, and Parayamkkeri, all of which came within a radius of 1 km from the point where the outbreak was reported.
Meanwhile, duck deaths were being reported in various parts of Champakulam grama panchayat in Kuttanad taluk. As per unofficial figures, over 30,000 ducks had fallen dead in certain areas, including Chempady and Malankara padasekharam at Champakulam. However, officials were yet to confirm the actual cause of the deaths.
According to Mr. Padmakumar, the second phase of the preventive and containment measures will commence in the district on Monday.
As part of the planned activities, various areas, including that used to burn the carcasses of ducks and the paddy fields where the ducks were reared, would be sterilised.
An eight-member team consisting of officials of the Animal Husbandry, Health and Revenue Departments, and ASHA workers will be deployed for the purpose for 10 consecutive days. The Agriculture Department has been directed to provide adequate quantities of lime powder that will be required for the activity.
Following the sterilisation of the identified points, the rapid task force teams will then proceed to cull the other birds that came within one-km radius of the affected areas and ensure their proper disposal.
