New Delhi, Nov 25 - A red alert has been declared in Alappuzha, Pathanamthitta and Kottayam districts of Kerala following an outbreak of avian influenza in the Kuttanadu area.

The entry of all poultry products and transport of birds was banned in the state, after 17,000 ducks were found dead in the Kuttanadu area.

According to reports, truck-loads of chicken and eggs from neighbouring Tamil Nadu and Karnataka were denied entry into Kerala following the red-alert.

Twenty four-hour control rooms were also started in the affected areas. (ANI)