The Andhra Pradesh government has introduced several measures to contain an outbreak of Avian Influenza (bird flu) in West Godavari, East Godavari, Krishna, and NTR districts, where the death toll of poultry birds has reached the lakhs in the past three days.
Dr. T. Damodar Naidu, Director of the Animal Husbandry Department, who reviewed the situation following a teleconference with state Agriculture Minister K. Atchennaidu on Wednesday, confirmed that a significant number of poultry deaths were reported from Velpuru village in Tanuku Mandal (West Godavari), Kanuru Agraharam in Peravali Mandal (East Godavari), and several parts of Krishna and NTR districts.
“The officials collected samples from the deceased birds and sent them to the National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD) in Bhopal. Laboratory results confirmed the presence of the avian influenza virus,” Naidu said in a statement.
Authorities swiftly enacted containment measures, including the scientific disposal of infected birds. The areas within a one-kilometer radius around the affected villages were declared an ‘alert zone,’ and a 10-kilometer radius was designated as a ‘Surveillance Zone.’ The movement of poultry and poultry products into and out of these zones has been restricted.
“Biosecurity and disinfection protocols have been enforced, and officials from various departments, including police, revenue, forest, and animal husbandry, are actively involved. Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) have been deployed to prevent the disease from spreading further,” Naidu added.
Statewide, 721 Rapid Response Teams have been set up to monitor and manage the outbreak, particularly at state borders, to regulate poultry transportation. Authorities have assured that strict control measures are in place to prevent further escalation.
During the teleconference, Atchennaidu directed veterinary officers to remain vigilant and ensure proper disposal of infected birds. He also instructed officials to implement biosecurity measures at poultry farms and restrict the movement of poultry from affected areas until the situation is under control.
The bird flu outbreak has severely impacted the poultry industry, particularly in Krishna, East Godavari, and West Godavari districts, where poultry farming is a major economic activity. The virus is believed to have spread via migratory birds or infected poultry transported from other regions.
The affected areas host around 350 poultry farms that produce approximately 24 million eggs daily, with significant exports to states like Odisha, Bihar, West Bengal, and Assam. The outbreak has led to mass culling, causing financial distress for poultry farmers.
In NTR district, the virus spread to Gampalagudem Mandal’s Anummolanka village, where 11,000 chickens died in just three days. Across several districts, lakhs of poultry birds have already succumbed to the virus. As a precautionary measure, poultry farms, chicken shops, and egg-selling outlets in the affected areas have been temporarily shut down.
The government has assured the public that cooked chicken and eggs from unaffected areas are safe to consume. However, consumers are advised to avoid raw poultry products from restricted zones until further notice.
