Samples of dead birds to be collected

MALAPPURAM: Following the death of a six-year-old boy due to West Nile fever at AR Nagar here, veterinary authorities began collecting data on recent bird fatalities across the district on Wednesday.
The team will collect samples of dead birds for a detailed study to verify the presence of West Nile virus (WNV).
District medical officer (DMO) Dr K Sakeena said that there was no need to panic.No other case of infection has been reported so far, she said.
A special medical team of state Vector Control Research Centre (VCRC) visisted AR Nagar. The team comprising, Dr N Pradeep Kumar, Dr Prashanth Syni and Dr Abida, has confirmed the presence of Culex mosquitoes, carries of WNV, in the region. They have collected samples of mosquitoes from the region.
The DMO said that the laboratory examination results will be out within two days. Vector control activities are being carried out across the country, and directive has been issued to hospital authorities to remain vigilant, said Sakeena.
Meanwhile, a team of animal husbandry department from Palakkad and Thiruvananthapuram gave a special training on WNV to the veterinary doctors of Tirurangadi taluk on Wednesday. Veterinary surgeon Dr Nandakumar delivered the keynote address. The team also attended a meeting at the district collector’s chamber.
It is learnt that a team of animal husbandry officials will visit Kozhikode on Thursday in view of the mass death of crows there. The chief veterinary officer of Malappuram Dr Baby Joseph said that the real reason behind the death of birds can be ascertained only after detailed laboratory examinations of samples.