Mass duck deaths in Kuttanad spark panic

Lab tests find bacterial infection caused deaths

Dead ducks at a field near Mannar in Kuttanad.

Mass death of ducks in parts of upper Kuttanad have sparked panic among farmers in the region.

More than 5,000 ducks have died in the region in the past few days.

Saji, a farmer from Pavukkara, near Mannar, lost 3,000 ducks the other day.

In flood-hit areas

Animal Husbandry Department officials said they had collected samples and conducted an examination at the Avian Disease Diagnostic Laboratory at Thiruvalla.

“The examination has revealed the cause of death as bacterial infection. Duck deaths were reported from flood-hit areas. The dead ducks were infected while being reared in contaminated waters. We have directed farmers to shift ducks from areas where infection has been reported. Distribution of medicines to prevent the disease has been started. The situation is under control and there is no need for panic,” said an official.

Duck deaths were reported from Budhanoor, Veeyapuram, Pallippad, Mannar, Kadapra and Niranam. A large number of ducks were killed in the region in the August floods. According to the district administration 94,888 ducks were killed in upper Kuttanad. The farmers have suffered an estimated loss of Rs. 1.41 crore.