Bird flu (H5N1) has been confirmed in Ward 7 of Muhamma gram panchayat in Alappuzha district of Kerala, prompting authorities to initiate containment measures. "As many as 5,961 domestic birds in the affected zone will be culled," said a government press release. Earlier, it was detected in several panchayats in the Kozhikode district. Authorities have asked public to stay vigilant.