Bird flu alert in Kerala

The wildlife department has issued a bird flu alert in Kerala, a major consumer of poultry products from other states, in the wake of spread of the disease in West Bengal.

In a statement in Thiruvananthapuram, Chief Wildlife Warden V S Varghese asked people to promptly report to the wildlife or animal husbandry department any unusual bird death.

Though bird flu had not been detected anywhere in the state, the department officials were keeping vigil as the season attracted migratory birds from far away places, he said.

The state was also vulnerable as a major chunk of poultry being consumed here came from neighbouring states.

Forest officials would seek the help of the animal husbandry department in any case of unusual bird death reported.

Varghese said so far the state had not witnessed any doubtful case of bird death.