Namakkal poultry keeps avian flu in check

Even as the dreaded H5N1 virus, the Asian version of the avian flu, is haunting the European and Southeast Asian poultry economies, the poultry farmers in the Namakkal remain unruffled claiming that the birds reared here have good immune system and thus are not prone to any virus attack.

Speaking to Business Standard, P Selvaraj, zonal chairman of the National Egg Coordination Committee (NECC), said that the hot climate here throughout the year is not favourable for the virus to spread.

Also, absence of water bodies in this region, which serves as the proper breeding ground for the migratory birds or the carriers of the virus, is also an added advantage.

According to B Soundararajan, managing director, Suguna Poultry Farm Limited (SPFL), the avian flu has in no way affected the trade and that the export orders are normal as usual.

However, he said that the airport authorities are adopting some quarantine measures like checking the blood samples of the livestock which are to be exported, in order to ensure safety.

"We have been following preventive measures like spraying anti-viral solutions on a regular basis and administering vaccines. Hence, there are no chances of a flu spread here," Selvaraj added.