Fresh bout of bird flu at Kuttanad Updated: Updated: Nearly 500 birds, mostly chicken, died at Kainakary recently Share Article A fresh bout of avian influenza flu (H5N8) has been detected at Kuttanad in Alappuzha. According to officials, around 500 birds, mostly chicken, died at Kainakary recently. Samples of the dead birds sent to the National Institute of High-Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD), Bhopal, for analysis were found to have been infected with the H5N8 subtype of the Influenza A virus. A meeting chaired by District Collector A. Alexander reviewed the situation on Wednesday. District Animal Husbandry Officer P.K. Santhosh Kumar said a 10-member rapid response team had begun culling birds and burning carcasses within one km radius of the epicentre as per the Central government guidelines.