Kerala to cull 20,000 birds after Avian flu outbreak in Alappuzha

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 Avian flu

The Alappuzha district administration in Kerala has started the culling of around 20,000 birds in the Haripad municipality area to control the spread of the Avian flu outbreak.

The district administration started the operation from 27 October 2022 after the sample of dead birds from the area was sent to the National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD), Bhopal tested positive for H5N1 virus.

Birds within one kilometer of the infection area will be killed and the authorities have already imposed a ban on the transportation of birds within 1 kilometer area. 

Center sends a high level delegation

The Union Ministry of Health has already sent a high-level team headed by Dr Rajesh Kedamani to Kerala to investigate the outbreak in detail and submit a report with immediate recommendations for prevention and control.

The seven-member team comprises experts drawn from the National Institute of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases, New Delhi; the National Centre for Disease Control, New Delhi; the National Institute of Epidemiology, Chennai; and the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi.

Bird Flu and its Impact on Human 

  • Avian influenza or bird flu refers to the disease caused by infection with avian (bird) influenza (flu) Type A viruses. These viruses naturally spread among wild aquatic birds worldwide and can infect domestic poultry and other bird and animal species.
  • Infected birds shed virus through saliva, mucus and feces. The virus can affect human beings through eyes, nose or mouth.
  • Bird flu viruses do not normally infect humans. However, sporadic human infections with bird flu viruses have occurred. According to the World Health Organisation , Humans can be infected with  avian influenza virus subtypes A(H5N1), A(H7N9), and A(H9N2) .

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