The Aryavarth Express
Agency(Mangalore): The Karnataka Animal Husbandry department has declared a high alert in the border areas, including Mangaluru, following an avian flu outbreak reported in neighboring Kerala. Officials are closely monitoring the situation and have placed both rail and road transport under scrutiny to prevent the spread of the disease.
According to department sources, the avian flu has been contained within Kerala’s Alappuzha district, but preventive measures continue. “Our Kerala counterparts have assured that the avian flu has been contained. However, we are keeping poultry and poultry products under close surveillance,” one official noted.
Transport networks, especially those ferrying chicken loads from Kerala to Mangaluru, are being rigorously checked. Mangaluru, a major consumer of chicken from Kerala, has temporarily ceased chicken procurement from the affected regions.
Sudhakar Shetty, a local market functionary, mentioned, “Although the Kerala Animal Husbandry department has managed to contain the avian flu to a few districts, we are still vigilant.” Despite these precautions, the local market has remained stable due to sufficient local chicken stocks to meet immediate demands.
Additionally, chicken demand is expected to dip temporarily due to ongoing temple festivals in coastal areas, where many locals abstain from meat until Saturday. This trend may reverse by Sunday, anticipated to increase as people resume consuming meat dishes like chicken curry.
Aston D’Souza, a farm owner, expressed concerns about not causing unnecessary panic about avian flu unless the local supply drastically drops below demand. With alternative supply routes from districts like Shivamogga, Hassan, and Chikkamagaluru, the region is prepared to handle potential shortfalls from Kerala, albeit at a higher cost.
This heightened alert and the measures being taken underscore the region’s swift response to health threats from neighboring states, aiming to ensure public safety and maintain steady food supplies amidst potential crises.