India: Kerala To Cull 5,961 Birds in Alappuzha After Bird Flu Confirmation

The cull order in Alappuzha district follows reported H5N1 confirmation in Muhamma and will cover a 1-km radius around the outbreak center.

Kerala authorities will cull 5,961 domestic birds in Muhamma in Alappuzha district after avian influenza was confirmed there, according to a PTI report. The report said the Animal Husbandry Department had deployed rapid response teams for culling operations within a 1-km radius of the epicenter.

A separate The Hindu report, citing officials and agency inputs, said the outbreak was confirmed in Ward 7 of Muhamma grama panchayat and that the containment steps were being carried out under the Government of India's 2021 action plan for avian influenza. It said an emergency meeting chaired by District Collector Inbasekar Kalimuthu approved the cull.

The district administration has urged residents to report unusual bird deaths to veterinary hospitals and to follow protective measures when handling dead birds, according to the same report.
Also read: Kerala To Cull 5,961 Birds in Alappuzha After Bird Flu Confirmation