Kochi: The avian flu outbreak, confirmed as the H5N1 virus, in three districts of Kerala is under control as two human samples have now been found negative, said an official yesterday.
Speaking to IANS, animal husbandry department director B Brahmanandan said the culling operations were ending and around 200,000 poultry birds would have been culled in 12 affected villages. “Today, there was a new village council — Chennithala (in Alappuzha district) — where ducks tested positive for this virus and immediately 35 culling teams were sent there. Things are under control and there is no reason to panic,” he said. Brahmanandan said the biggest reason for cheer was that two human samples have now been found negative.
“Starting Monday, we will go into the second phase of the operation where surveillance of the poultry birds in a three square km radius of these 13 villages would be undertaken. At the same time, those outside this area but inside a 10 square km radius will also be observed.” IANS
