Kerala identifies H5 avian influenza virus in poultry; 2,00,000 to be culled

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala has decided to cull about 2,00,000 poultry birds as a precautionary measure against the H5 avian influenza virus, a state minister said on Tuesday. “We got reports from a Bhopal laboratory that H5 avian influenza virus has been identified in poultry birds in Alappuzha, Kottayam and Pathanamthitta districts.So, as a precautionary measure, about two lakh birds, mostly ducks, would be culled starting Tuesday in the affected areas,“ Agriculture Minister KP Mohanan told reporters after a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy. “Awareness campaigns have already been started in these three districts. Other ministers have been asked to visit the districts,“ said Mohanan.

Meanwhile, all efforts are being taken to prevent the spread of the virus from birds to humans. The virus has been discovered in the chicken samples collected from stores in Kumarakom.

A number of ducks in Alappuzha and Pathanamthitta districts have died in the past two weeks. Their samples have been sent to a few labs.The Bhopal lab confirmed that the ducks have been dying due to avian influenza.

“Poultry owners, whose birds are going to be culled, will get a compensation of Rs 75 each for those which are tw omonth old and Rs 150 for birds that are over two-months old,“ said Mohanan.