Concerns mount over suspected bird flu outbreak in Kuttanad

The poultry farmers successful Kuttanad are erstwhile again facing a festive-season nightmare arsenic unexplained deaths of chickens and ducks rise fears of a looming vertebrate flu outbreak successful the region.

Widespread deaths of broiler chickens and ducks successful farms crossed occidental Kottayam person formed a shadiness implicit the festive cheer. Official reports bespeak astir 5,000 chickenhearted deaths wrong the limits of the Kottayam municipality truthful far. However, farmers assertion the existent toll is apt treble that figure, with important losses reported successful Vaikom, Manjoor, and Thiruvarppu.

Amid rising concerns astir a imaginable avian influenza outbreak, the Animal Husbandry section has launched an investigation. Samples person been collected and sent to the National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD) successful Bhopal for investigation to find the origin of the deaths.

Quail deaths

Official information reveals that 1 husbandman reported a nonaccomplishment of astir 5,000 chickens, portion different reported 350 deaths successful wards 37 and 38 of the Kottayam municipality. While further deaths person been noted successful Vaikom, Ullala, Chengalam, and Thiruvarppu, officials clarified that nary ceremonial reports person yet been received from these areas. Meanwhile, quail deaths person been confirmed successful Manjoor.

Many of the affected deaths occurred successful integrated chickenhearted farms operating nether declaration arrangements, wherever companies from Tamil Nadu proviso chicks, feed, and different resources, and reclaim the birds erstwhile they scope maturity. Animal Husbandry officials noted that farmers progressive successful these arrangements typically trust solely connected the companies for support, often bypassing departmental assistance.

Bird flu not confirmed

Although vertebrate flu has not been confirmed, the officials highlighted the important beingness of migratory birds successful affected areas. “Historically, outbreaks thin to coincide with the accomplishment of migratory birds. November done March is their highest migration season, making this portion peculiarly vulnerable,” an authoritative explained.

Authorities person already alerted poultry farmers successful the portion and advised them to instrumentality precautionary measures. For farmers raising birds for Christmas and New Year celebrations, immoderate outbreak could mean terrible economical losses. Last year, a strict prohibition connected poultry products from September to December was imposed to incorporate the disease.