Southern Karnataka on high alert over bird flu reported in Kerala

As an outbreak of avian flu has been reported in some districts of neighbouring Kerala, the border areas of Karnataka, including Mangaluru, have been put on high alert, officials of the Karnataka Animal Husbandry department here said. At present, the situation in Kerala is being monitored before any action can be taken, they said. "Our Kerala counterparts have assured us that the avian flu has been contained within Alappuzha district. However, loading, booking and carrying poultry and poultry products on trains and at railway stations are still under consideration (surveillance), the officials said. Not only railways but also road transport ferrying chicken loads from Kerala to Mangaluru are under surveillance. Mangaluru, being one of the largest consumers of chicken from Kerala, has halted chicken procurement from Kerala-based suppliers. Sudhakar Shetty, a market functionary, stated, "The animal husbandry department of Kerala has advised containment of avian flu within a few ...