Avian flu conformed in Alappuzha

ALAPPUZHA: Avian flu(H5 N8) has been confirmed in five places in ducks in Kuttanad by State Disease Investigation Laboratory(SDIL) at Bhopal and this H5N8 virus will not transmit to human beings, informed district collector Veena N Madhavan.
Speaking to newsmen after chairing a meeting of officials of animal husbandry department, revenue, police and local bodies here on Tuesday, Veena said there is no problem for eating the meat and eggs of healthy ducks.``In 2014, November, it was H5 N1, which spread in Alappuzha and that virus was a threat to the human beings. However, this time, it is H5 N8 which was confirmed in five places- Thakazhi, Neelamperoor, Pandi, Ramankari, Kainadi- and it will not transmit to human beings,’’ said the collector.
The district administration has set up 20 Rapid Response Teams (RRT) for monitoring and destroying the affected birds. Each RRT is consisting of two veterinary surgeons, two livestock inspectors, two labourers, two attenders ward member, two revenue officials and two police men. This RRT team will cull the bird flu affected ducks in an isolated places and this RRT team will complete their works within four days.
Animal husbandry department director N Sasi said there is no need to be panic and if this virus is affected any birds, chance for death is only 15 percent.
`` This time virus transmitted to the ducks in Kuttanad through migratory birds came from Siberia and Pakitsan. The ducks from the bird flu affected areas will not be allowed to transport to other places for 10 days. The food inspectors will inspect the shops, where duck meats and eggs are being sold. The ducks from outside will not be allowed to bring to the paddy fields of Kuttanad. The police and other officials concerned will conduct night patrolling. If any ducks show the symptoms of bird flu, the veterinary surgeon concerned should be alerted soon. If any duck is affected with bird flu, the duck farms within the 10km radius of that place will come under the surveillance of the RRTs ’’ said Veena.
District animal husbandry officer Dr V Gopakumar is the nodal officer of the RRTs. ``The main symptom of this disease is the ducks’ eye will turn into blue colour. This H5N8 virus will affect brain and then damage the nervous system leading to heart attacks in ducks,’’ said the animal husbandry officials.