The Maldivian government  warned against importing poultry from the Indian state of Kerala due to an outbreak of the avian influenza virus in the region.

The Maldives health ministry, in a statement, warned against importing live birds, flesh and eggs from Kerala, Xinhua reported.

“Over 15,000 ducks have died in Kerala from the H5N1 virus,” the ministry said in the statement.

“Kerala has begun an operation to cull over 200,000 birds which may be carrying the fast spreading virus.”

“Citizens are advised to thoroughly wash their hands after having touched bird eggs or containers carrying bird eggs in order to avoid contracting bird flu,” the statement added.

Maldives has so far not reported any cases of avian influenza virus.