Sample tests rule out bird flu in Kottayam
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Kottayam: The sample tests conducted following the mass death of birds at Vechur, Chengalam and Thalayazham areas on Thursday ruled out any symptoms of bird flu in Kottayam district.
Sources said the tests conducted at a lab in Thiruvalla confirmed that the mass death of birds was not due to bird flu.
District collector Ajit Kumar, however, has said the samples have been sent to the High Security Animal Disease (HSAD) Laboratory in Bhopal and it can only be confirmed after getting their report.
The State cabinet, which took stock of the situation, Wednesday had enhanced the compensation for farmers to Rs 100 and Rs 200 per bird of less than two months and above two months of growth, respectively, in view of the loss suffered by them.
Briefing media in the state capital, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy had said the government had taken all precautionary measures as per the protocol set by WHO and there was no need to panic, especially about the chances of it spreading to human beings.
