Lok Sabha Question No. 5212 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-24
Subject: Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) in Kerala
Ministry: FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
Asked by: Shri K C Venugopal, Shri Kodikunnil Suresh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5212 TO BE ANSWERED ON 24.03.2026

## AVIAN INFLUENZA (BIRD FLU) IN KERALA

## 5212. SHRI K C VENUGOPAL:

SHRI KODIKUNNIL SURESH:

Will the Minister of FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING

## मत्स्यपालन , पशुपालन और डेयरी मंत्री

be pleased to state:

- (a) whether cases of Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) have been reported in Kerala during the last five years, particularly affecting duck and poultry (hen) populations;
- (b) the details of outbreaks reported, number of birds culled in the State and district during the said period;
- (c) the number of farmers affected by these outbreaks, State and district-wise, during the last five years;
- (d) whether  compensation  has  been  paid  or  is  being  planned  for  the  affected  farmers, including  the  details  of  amounts  disbursed  during  the  said  period  and  also  in  the previous such outbreaks;
- (e) the preventive measures taken by the Central Government in coordination with the State Government  to  control  the  spread  of  Bird  Flu,  including  surveillance,  biosecurity protocols and movement restrictions;
- (f) whether any special assistance or relief package has been provided to duck farmers in regions such as Kuttanad and other wetland areas where outbreaks are frequent;
- (g) the  long-term  strategy  formulated  to  strengthen  disease  surveillance,  laboratory capacity, vaccination research and early warning systems to protect poultry farmers and ensure food safety; and
- (h) the steps being taken to contain the future outbreaks including National Action Plan for Avian Influenza, establishment of advanced diagnostic labs in Kerala, promotion of insurance schemes for poultry farmers, etc.?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY & DAIRYING (SHRI RAJIV RANJAN SINGH ALIAS LALAN SINGH)

(a) to (c) As per the information received from the state of Kerala, the district-wise details of cases of outbreak reported, culled birds, farmers affected and fund sanctioned in Kerala during the last five years is placed as Annexure-I

(d) to (h) This Ministry provides financial assistance to States under Assistance to States for Control of Animal Diseases (ASCAD) of Livestock Health & Disease Control programme (LHDCP) on 50:50 sharing basis for culling compensation at prescribed rates in respect of Avian Influenza as preventive measure as per state request. There is no provision in the scheme for special assistance, insurance or relief package with regard to Avian Influenza.

The steps  taken  by  this  Ministry  to  support  the  State  to  strengthen  disease  prevention  and control measures, surveillance, diagnostic capacity, early warning etc are as under:

- i. The National Action Plan for Prevention, Control and Containment of Avian Influenza has been formulated and circulated to the States/UTs.
- ii. Advisories issued in advance for strengthening surveillance in high risk areas, enforcing biosecurity protocols, awareness to stakeholders, timely reporting of unusual mortality, coordination with stakeholders etc.
- iii. Based on State demand and scheme guidelines, financial support is provided under ASCAD for awareness, prevention and control of state prioritized livestock diseases, strengthening of Laboratories. During the last five years Central share of  Rs. 2843.86 lakh has been released to the State which includes Rs. 520.42 lakh for compensation.
- iv. Regular sensitization of State authorities has been done including the visits of Central Expert Teams and formation of Rapid Response Teams in the State.
- v. Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying , GoI has authorized State Institute of Animal Diseases, Palode for preliminary screening of Avian Influenza.
- vi. The National  Animal  Disease  Referral  Expert  System  (NADRES\_v2) of ICARNIVEDI, can be accessed on the designated portal from anywhere anytime for advance preparedness and response.

## Annexure-I

| Year    | District            | Species   | Affected Farmers (No)   | Culled Birds (No)   | Amount Sanctioned (Rs)   |
|---------|---------------------|-----------|-------------------------|---------------------|--------------------------|
| 2019-20 | Malappuram          | Chicken   | 649                     | 3212                | 235740                   |
| 2019-20 |                     | Duck      | 649                     | 37                  | 4995                     |
| 2019-20 | Kozhikod            | Chicken   | 353                     | 7284                | 475780                   |
| 2019-20 | Total               |           |                         | 10833               | 716515                   |
| 2021-22 | Kottayam            | Chicken   | 40                      | 141                 | 12690                    |
| 2021-22 | Kottayam            | Duck      | 40                      | 75314               | 8988490                  |
| 2021-22 | Alappuzha           | Chicken   | 51                      | 2041                | 163040                   |
| 2021-22 | Alappuzha           | Duck      | 51                      | 220849              | 25851415                 |
| Total   | Total               | Total     | 91                      | 298345              | 35015635                 |
| 2022-23 | Pathanamthitta      | Chicken   | 138                     | 965                 | 76490                    |
| 2022-23 | Pathanamthitta      | Duck      | 138                     | 82                  | 11070                    |
| 2022-23 | Ernakulam           | Chicken   | 8                       | 52                  | 1110                     |
| 2022-23 | Thiruvananthapur am | Chicken   | 88                      | 2260                | 197870                   |
| 2022-23 | Thiruvananthapur am | Duck      | 88                      | 1473                | 198655                   |
| 2022-23 | Kozhikodu           | Chicken   | 65                      | 2101                | 188250                   |
| 2022-23 | Kozhikodu           | Duck      | 65                      | 14                  | 1890                     |
| 2022-23 | Kottayam            | Chicken   | 224                     | 1452                | 117730                   |
| 2022-23 | Kottayam            | Duck      |                         | 19324               | 2576640                  |
| 2022-23 | Alappuzha           | Chicken   | 60                      | 1412                | 56170                    |
| 2022-23 | Alappuzha           | Duck      | 60                      | 55242               | 5970870                  |
|         | Total               | Total     | 583                     | 84377               | 9396745                  |
| 2023-24 |                     |           | NIL                     |                     |                          |
| 2024-25 | Pathanamthitta      | Chicken   | 62                      | 852                 | 127110                   |
|         |                     | Duck      | 62                      | 5033                | 805280                   |
|         |                     | Chicken   | 62                      | 10061               | 772690                   |
|         | Kottayam            | Duck      | 214                     | 12703               | 1091650                  |
|         |                     | Quail     | 62                      | 37                  | 1480                     |
|         | Alappuzha           | Chicken   | 880                     | 58734               | 3761485                  |
|         |                     | Duck      | 880                     | 71806               | 11479060                 |
|         |                     | Quail     | 880                     | 9246                | 293960                   |
|         | Total               |           | 1156                    | 168472              | 18332715                 |