Following bird flu reports, Kerala Minister announces culling of one lakh ducks

Around 38,000 ducks have been culled so far in Kerala's Alappuzha district

Kerala Animal Husbandry Minister K Raju on Wednesday said that one lakh ducks will be culled after avian flu (H5N1 virus) was reported in certain areas of the state's Alappuzha district.

"Earlier what used to be done was all the poultry birds within a one square kilometre radius, where such birds have been affected would be culled. But this time we have decided to only cull ducks in areas, where affected birds have been identified," said Raju at a meeting with stake holders and officials.

Last week, the presence of the virus was detected in four villages of the district, following which around 38,000 ducks have been culled and the remaining would be done in the coming days.

The Minister has already announced that adequate compensation would be provided for each bird and egg destroyed.

Two years ago, more than two lakh poultry birds were culled in Alappuzha, Kottayam and Pathanamthitta districts following an outbreak of avian flu.