By IANS
Thiruvananthapuram : With bird flu spreading in West Bengal, Kerala has posted a special team of veterinarians at all the 18 entry check posts bordering Tamil Nadu and Karnataka to monitor the entry of poultry products into the state, an official said Tuesday.
Kerala gets close to 65 percent of its annual poultry requirements – close to 35,000 tonnes of chicken, including broilers, layer chicks and layer parent culls – from neighbouring states.
R. Vijayakumar, state animal husbandry director, told IANS: “Instructions have been sent to ensure there are three shifts (at the entry check posts) and the concerned officers have been asked to clearly observe the physical appearance of all poultry birds. A detailed examination would be undertaken if there is a doubt.”
The teams at the check posts consist of a veterinarian, field staff and livestock inspectors.
“We have also asked our officers to keep a watch at the various bird sanctuaries in the state where there are migratory birds. Instructions have been sent to closely observe these birds and if necessary to send the droppings for laboratory tests,” Vijayakumar said.
Special squads are also conducting surprise inspections at all poultry shops, he said.
Vijayakumar said people should not be scared of consuming eggs “because the bird flu virus is killed at 70 degrees centigrade”.