Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (MS)

Mangaluru, Apr 26: Monitoring of vehicles carrying poultry to Kerala from Dakshina Kannada district has risen in the wake of rise in cases of bird fever in the Alapuzzha district of Kerala.

Giving details, Dr Arun Kumar Shetty, deputy director of animal husbandry department said, “Alapuzzha district in Kerala is at a distance of 400 km from Dakshina Kannada. So there is no need for anyone to panic. Checking of vehicles has been intensified in border areas of Jalsoor, Saradka and Talapady."

He said, “Kerala is the biggest market for poultry products that are produced in Karnataka. These are sent to Kerala via Dakshina Kannada district. These vehicles are also being sanitised at the border."

“Poultry farm owners have been instructed not to allow strangers and outsiders into their farms. They have also been asked to sanitise the vehicles arriving from outstation states before entering the farms," he said.

“Bird fever usually spreads through migrating birds. However, Dakshina Kannada district does not have bird migration. Most of the birds that arrive in Dakshina Kannada come from Kerala and other neaby areas. But as the temperature is high, migration of birds is quite rare. So the chances of bird flu are slim. Still, we have taken precautionary measures," Dr Shetty said.

“The poultry farm owners are instructed to bring to the notice of animal husbandry department of any suspicious deaths of birds or chickens. They have also been given instructions how to prevent the spread of bird fever besided taking precautions. As chances of bird fever is more for people who are working in poultry farms, they have been asked to be more aware," he said.

Dr Shetty further added, “As infection is seen in some horses of Karnataka, precautionary measure are also being taken in Dakshina Kannada. In Dakshina Kannada there are 18 horses. The owners are instructed not to bring any horse from outstation districts till further information."

“So far there are no signs of bird fever. Even then the department is on high alert. Even if there is bird fever, it will not spread to people who consumed the meat of chicken. So do not stop eating chicken meat. Even if the infection enters it will be limited to poultry farms and those who work there. Another important point to be noted is that this infection does not spread from one person to another. It spreads only through birds. So there is no need to panic. If the demand for chicken reduces it affects the poultry farm business and chicken traders also. Let us not give room for that,” he said.