NEW DELHI: Bird flu has been detected at least in four states of India with Kerala issuing a high alert against bird flu on Tuesday.

The first case this time was reported in Rajasthan. On December 31, curfew was imposed in around one kilometre area in Jhalawar town in Rajasthan as avian influenza was confirmed in the area.

On December 25, 50 crows were found dead at a temple in Jhalawar town. By January 4, over 300 more birds were found dead across Rajasthan.

Aside from Rajasthan, the bird flu was also confirmed in Madhya Pradesh where around 50 crows died due to the infection on January 1. The poultry flu was also detected in Kerala and Himanchal Pradesh.

The H5N1 virus was first detected in 1996 in geese in China,  according to Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, the US. It was first detected in humans in 1997 in Hong Kong. India is among the six countries considered to be endemic for H5N1, the other countries being Bangladesh, China, Egypt, Indonesia and Vietnam.

The disease is transmitted from birds to human via an infected bird’s feces, or secretions from its nose, mouth or eye.  (With inputs from Agencies)