Key Update

The Nilgiris district administration has intensified monitoring of poultry and poultry products and temporarily suspended their entry from Kerala after avian influenza cases were reported in Alappuzha and Kottayam. The administration has deployed teams from the Department of Animal Husbandry, including veterinary assistant surgeons, veterinary inspectors, and field staff, at seven checkposts along the Kerala border and one checkpost at Kakkanallah on the Karnataka border. These teams inspect all incoming consignments and ensure that poultry from Kerala does not enter the district.

Administration Warns Poultry Farmers

In an advisory to poultry farmers, the district administration stated that avian flu affects chickens, ducks, turkeys, and wild birds and can also infect humans. Officials warned that migratory wild birds could introduce the disease into the district.  To curb the spread, the administration instructed farmers to prevent wild birds from entering farms, avoid keeping different poultry species together, and restrict the entry of outsiders into farm premises. Farmers must disinfect farm equipment regularly and avoid sharing tools with other farms.

Mandatory Reporting and Food Safety Advisory

The administration directed farmers to immediately report any unusual deaths of poultry or wild birds to the nearest government veterinarian. Officials also clarified that people can avoid infection by cooking chicken and eggs thoroughly at high temperatures, even though avian flu can spread through respiratory droplets when handling infected birds.

Import Ban to Continue Until Further Notice

The District Collector has suspended the import of poultry, eggs, and poultry feed from Kerala until further notice to prevent the spread of avian flu in the Nilgiris.

Source: The Hindu