20,471 ducks will die. (file)
Alappuzha:
After the outbreak of avian flu in ducks was confirmed in the district, officials today launched a drive to kill over 20,000 birds in Vazhhuthanam ward of Haripad Municipality here to contain the spread of the disease.
The presence of the infection was confirmed after a recent laboratory test of samples at the National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases in Bhopal.
From October 28 (Saturday), all birds of the houses located within a kilometer radius of the epicenter of the disease would be killed, district officials said in a statement here.
It said that 20,471 ducks will be culled and eight Rapid Response Teams (RRTs), each with 10 members, are engaged in the operation as per the directions of the veterinarians and to follow the central norms in this regard.
As the process of killing progressed under the leadership of District Animal Protection Officer DS Bindu, public representatives and officials of various departments including revenue and health visited the area.
It said that even after the completion of the killing process, the monitoring of health and animal welfare departments would continue for a week in Haripad Municipality, Pallipad Panchayat and surrounding areas.
The transport of birds within a kilometer radius of the disease outbreak has already been banned.
In view of avian flu, the District Collector has banned the consumption and sale of eggs and meat of domestic birds including ducks, chickens, quails etc. in Haripad Municipality and various adjoining panchayats.
A four-member “bird squad” has been created to ensure that eggs and meat of domestic birds are not sold or consumed in these areas.
Officials asked people to be alert in view of the outbreak of the disease as there is a possibility of transmission of infection from birds to humans.
He said that apart from ducks, the infection can also affect poultry, quail, geese and other ornamental birds and those who come in close contact with them should be extra cautious and take necessary precautionary measures as prescribed by the health department.
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