Bird Flu Scare: Gov Says Situation Under Control

The avian influenza, which had hit the duck-rearing central Kerala’s Kuttanad region, has been brought under control.

So far, as many as 1.80 lakh ducks have been culled and the operation would be wound up on Monday with culling of another batch of 50,000 poultry.

Kerala Health Minister V S Shivakumar said the virus which was identified as H5N1 has not hit humans so far.

Six samples collected from persons with symptoms of avian flu, but all of them were tested negative.

However, the government has equipped the hospitals in Alappuzha to face the situation if humans were found affected with H5N1.

Avian Influenza / Bird Flu-Causes-Symptoms-Treatment- FAQs
Bird flu (avian influenza/avian flu) is a disease caused by an influenza virus (H5N1) that primarily affects birds but can infect humans also.

Shivakumar added that government has put under observation around 3 lakh persons and visited 80,000 households in the affected areas.

Although duck deaths have been reported from many parts of Central Kerala, tests showed they were not due to avian influenza.

Bird flu: Kerala starts culling of birds
After bird flu was confirmed in ducks in Kerala, the government started culling of poultry in Kuttanad region on Wednesday.

The minister said that the government would extent the financial assistance to the affected farmers in central Kerala.

Kerala Issues Red Alert After Bird Flu Scare
In Alappuzha, Pathanamthitta and Kottayam districts of Kerala, a red alert has been declared following an outbreak of avian influenza in the Kuttanadu area.

Source-Medindia