Kerala is facing a new outbreak of avian influenza, with confirmed cases in Alappuzha and Kottayam districts. This has raised concerns as it coincides with the peak Christmas season, a time when poultry sales surge. Samples tested at the National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases in Bhopal confirmed the presence of the virus.
Authorities in Alappuzha have identified infections in eight panchayats, affecting poultry birds in some areas and ducks in others. In Kottayam, the disease has been reported in four wards, impacting quails and chickens. The State government has initiated containment measures, including culling birds within a one-kilometre radius of infected sites and declaring a surveillance zone up to 10 kilometers.
To prevent further spread, strict restrictions have been imposed on the movement and sale of poultry products. Various government departments are collaborating to contain the outbreak, with rapid response teams deployed for inspections. While human transmission of avian influenza is rare, the public is advised to report unusual bird deaths and follow safety protocols to safeguard public health and livelihoods.
