Alappuzha: Kerala Minister for Forests, Animal Husbandry and dairy development, K Raju on Wednesday said bird flu genus H5N8 that has been confirmed in the state could have been transmitted from the migratory birds.
Addressing a press meet after an evaluation meeting at Alappuzha Collectorate, the Minister said, "Migratory birds usually reach the State during December and January. It is being inferred that the dropping of these birds has got mixed in the water bodies here, thereby passing the H5N8 infection to the farm birds."
"Studies indicate that Kuttanad is part of the migratory route of these birds. Raju said it is assumed that this could be how the bird flu has reached Kerala. The epicentres of the bird flu outbreak in Kerala are Alappuzha and Neendur in Kottayam. It is Avian influenza H5 N8 genus of the virus that has been detected in the two districts of Kerala," Raju said.
"Bird flu has also been reported in 5 other states in India. Though the virus strain that has been presently detected in the birds are unlikely to infect human beings. However, as the virus may undergo mutation anytime, the possibility of transmission to human beings cannot be ruled out. Health workers are to continue high vigil in the affected areas for the next ten days considering the mutation possibility," he said
"All the necessary precautions have been taken to avoid the spread of the virus to other areas. The officials with the Forest department have been directed to observe whether the migratory birds are dying off. If found dying, the samples of these migratory birds would be tested. The District Animal Welfare Officers have been told to send samples for testing in case they find any similar massive bird deaths reported in their jurisdiction," he informed.
"After completing the culling and sanitisation procedure, a week more of surveillance would be carried out within the 10 kilometres radius of the affected areas," he further informed.
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