Bird flu confirmed in Kerala’s Alappuzha; 5,961 birds to be culled

Bird flu confirmed in Kerala’s Alappuzha; 5,961 birds to be culled as authorities enforce containment measures.

Bird flu (H5N1) has been confirmed in Ward 7 of Muhamma grama panchayat in Alappuzha district of Kerala, prompting authorities to initiate containment measures in line with the Government of India’s 2021 action plan, officials on Thursday (March 19, 2026) said. Over 5,000 birds are set to be culled.

A decision to implement preventive and control measures was taken at an emergency meeting of various departments chaired by District Collector Inbasekar Kalimuthu, a government press release said.

The Animal Husbandry department has deployed rapid response teams to carry out culling operations within a 1-km radius of the epicentre.

"As many as 5,961 domestic birds in the affected zone will be culled. The culling operations are scheduled to begin on the morning of March 21," the statement said.

The district administration has issued guidelines for various departments to contain the spread of the disease.

The release said that in view of the outbreak, the public has been urged to remain vigilant.