Bird Flu Confirmed in Alappuzha and Kottayam; Farmers in Distress Ahead of Christmas; Allegations of Foul Play Arise.

Alappuzha: Bird flu has been confirmed once again in the districts of Alappuzha and Kottayam. The outbreak has pushed thousands of duck farmers, especially in the Kuttanad region, into a severe crisis just as they were preparing for the peak Christmas market. Farmers who invested heavily in raising lakhs of ducks are now staring at a complete loss of livelihood.

Questions are being raised regarding the recurring nature of the outbreak specifically during the Christmas season. Farmers suspect a potential business conspiracy by poultry lobbies from neighboring states. They point out the mystery behind why broiler chickens arriving from Tamil Nadu remain unaffected while local ducks are hit by the virus. As authorities prepare for large-scale culling, concerns regarding delayed compensation and the lack of transparency in the investigation have intensified. There is a growing demand for advanced testing facilities within Kerala and a thorough probe into the recurring outbreaks.

For more details: Navamalayalam.com