Bird flu outbreak in Kerala: Amidst Kerala dealing with a wave of an avian flu pandemic, the Kerala Health Department has given instructions to all districts for being on high alert.

Bird flu outbreak in Kerala: Health Minister Veena George has urged people to take necessary precautions to prevent transmission of infection. While telling people not to panic, the Health Minister said that one still needs to be vigilant. “Everyone should follow the guidelines,” she added.

Important measures were taken right after the alerts from the health ministry. Mass culling of poultry was carried out in Kottayam and Thiruvananthapuram districts. Up to 3,000 birds have been culled within a one-kilometer radius of the Perunguzhi Junction ward, in the state capital.

The team also destroyed bird droppings, eggs, meat, and feed for precautionary purposes. Moreover, panchayats close by have been designated as surveillance zones.

Routine check is also on

The residents of the affected districts are being routinely checked by the Health Department for fever and other symptoms. The signs of infection in people are severe upper back discomfort, fever, coughing, shortness of breath, cold, and blood in the sputum.

The virus mutation has to be checked

For the unversed, Avian influenza, also regarded as bird flu, is an infectious viral disease that affects birds but is seldom transmitted to humans because of a virus mutation, which results in causing infection.

Dos and Don’s

Abstain from eating half-boiled eggs and undercooked chicken.
Make sure yolks are firm while cooking eggs.
Ensure to wash your hands in between while handling raw and cooked food items.
Ensure disinfecting surfaces that come in contact with raw poultry.
Keep your hands clean and often wash them with soap during the day.
Avoid purchasing poultry or make sure that you buy it from clean and trusted outlets.
While handling raw meat make sure that you use gloves.
Avoid keeping raw meat in the open.
Abstain from touching dead birds with bare hands.
Do not get in contact with birds from infected areas.

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