CHENNAI: Outbreak of the highly pathogenic avian influenza in the Upper Kuttanadu region in Kerala has sent the poultry farmers in Tamil Nadu in a quandary as it may hit their trade and the top authorities of the government have initiated precautionary measures.
A large number of ducks have been infected possibly with the H5N8 virus in certain places in Alappuzha district forcing Kerala authorities to initiate culling of infected birds, besides taking other steps.
The outbreak, reported close on the heels of a similar development in the national capital, is expected to hit poultry farmers and traders in West Tamil Nadu, supplying huge consignments of eggs and meat to Kerala daily.
“It has come just when the Deepavali sale peaks. The bird flu infection in Central Kerala will dampen the sale,” a leading poultry farmer in Namakkal said.
However, the National Egg Coordination Committee (NECC) authorities allay fears of farmers saying sale of poultry products might remain unaffected. According to P Tamilarasan, vice-president of NECC, Namakkal Zone, “We need not worry about the current bird flu attack since it has affected ducks. The trade of broiler and eggs may go on as usual.” Poultry farmers in Namakkal ferry a little above 1 crore eggs daily to Kerala, he added.
Action Plan
Check points at inter-state borders
26 six check points at six districts
Round-the-clock vigil
Disinfecting all vehicles coming from Kerala
Stopping purchase of poultry from Kerala
Bio-security measures in poultry farms
