Kerala bird flu scare: Nearly 6,000 birds to be culled from March 21. Authorities on high alert

Bird flu (H5N1) has been confirmed in Ward 7 of Alappuzha's Muhamma grama panchayat, prompting authorities to initiate immediate containment measures in accordance with the Government of India’s 2021 action plan.

Officials said the outbreak has triggered a swift response to prevent further spread of the infection.

Bird Flu Containment Measures: Over 5,000 Birds to Be Culled

As part of the containment strategy, authorities have decided to cull nearly 5,961 domestic birds within a one-kilometre radius of the epicentre.


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The culling operations are scheduled to begin on the morning of March 21, with rapid response teams from the Animal Husbandry Department already deployed in the affected area.

Bird Flu Kerala: Emergency Meeting Reviews Situation

The decision to implement preventive and control measures was taken during an emergency meeting chaired by District Collector Inbasekar Kalimuthu.

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Senior officials from multiple departments, including Disaster Management, attended the meeting to coordinate efforts and ensure swift action.

Bird Flu Guidelines: Public Urged to Stay Vigilant

The district administration has issued strict guidelines to contain the spread of bird flu. Residents have been urged to remain alert and report any unusual mass deaths of birds to the nearest veterinary facility immediately.

People handling dead birds have been advised to use protective gear such as masks and gloves to minimise the risk of infection.

Bird Flu Safety Measures: Disposal and Biosecurity Protocols

Officials have instructed that bird carcasses must be buried deep and treated with disinfectants such as lime and bleaching powder.

Poultry farms in the region have also been directed to implement strict biosecurity measures to prevent contamination and further transmission.

Bird Flu Spread in Kerala: Cases Reported in Kozhikode

The latest outbreak comes shortly after bird flu cases were detected in multiple areas of Kozhikode district, including Panangad, Olavanna, Kakkodi, Perumanna and Nallalam.

Authorities are closely monitoring the situation as part of ongoing efforts to control the spread of the disease across affected regions.