A bird flu (H5N1) outbreak in Alappuzha district has led to rapid action by the Animal Husbandry department. Since Friday, teams have culled 4,240 birds, including ducks, chickens, quails, turkeys, and parrots. The culling took place in Nedumudi (2,663 birds), Karuvatta (715), Karthikappally (445), Thakazhi (286), and Kumarapuram (131). On Saturday, culling will continue in Punnapra South, Cheruthana, Purakkad, and Ambalappuzha South panchayats. Bird flu cases appeared in eight wards across these panchayats. Kumarapuram, though not an epicenter, is marked infected as it sits within 1 km of Karthikappally. District Collector Alex Varghese has ordered a one-week ban on use, sale, transport, and marketing of ducks, chickens, quails, and their products. This ban applies within a surveillance zone stretching 10 km from infected areas. The zone covers many local bodies including Alappuzha municipality, Haripad municipality, and over 30 grama panchayats. Secretaries are directed to stop sales and form special squads for strict inspections. Bird rearing is banned for three months in the infected one-km radius. Tahsildars of Ambalappuzha, Karthikappally, and Kuttanad will lead inspections and monitoring. Food safety officers will ensure no food prepared with poultry eggs or meat is sold in restricted zones. These swift steps aim to control the spread of H5N1 and protect public health.