Alappuzha/Kottayam: Birds will be killed en masse in areas where bird flu has been confirmed in the state. About twenty thousand birds will be killed in Alappuzha. Meanwhile, the district administration has clarified that precautions have been taken to prevent the spread of the disease to more places. The hopes of farmers were dashed when bird flu was confirmed in Alappuzha and Kottayam districts while they were preparing for the Christmas market. The disease was detected in 12 places in the two districts. In Alappuzha alone, 19811 birds will be killed. Birds will be killed within a radius of one kilometer of the areas where the disease has been confirmed. This will include chickens, ducks and quails. With the killing of thousands of ducks, the Christmas and New Year hopes of farmers have been darkened. The arrival of migratory birds is believed to be the cause of the disease. The district administration has announced that precautions have been taken to prevent the disease from spreading to more birds. If you notice an unusual mass death of birds, you should inform the veterinary hospitals. Caution should be exercised when handling such birds. Strict surveillance has been imposed within a ten-kilometer radius of the affected areas. Strict vigilance has been issued to prevent the spread of bird flu to humans.