Andhra Pradesh on High Alert as Bird Flu Cases Emerge, Control Measures Enforced

Andhra Pradesh : In the wake of the bird flu scare in Andhra Pradesh, the state government has announced a series of measures to contain the outbreak of Avian Influenza (H5N1) in West Godavari, East Godavari, Krishna, and NTR districts. The outbreak has led to the death of lakhs of poultry birds over the past three days, raising concerns among farmers and poultry industry stakeholders.

Director of the Animal Husbandry Department, Dr. T Damodar Naidu, conducted a review of the situation, highlighting that a large number of poultry bird deaths were reported from Velpuru village in Tanuku Mandal (West Godavari), Kanuru Agraharam in Peravali Mandal (East Godavari), and parts of Krishna and NTR districts. The government has swiftly mobilized 721 Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) to monitor, control, and prevent the further spread of the virus. These teams are focusing on state borders, regulating poultry transportation, and implementing strict containment measures to prevent escalation.

Andhra Pradesh Minister K Atchannaidu has assured the public that there is no need to panic, as the government has mobilized resources to tackle the outbreak. He also warned against rumors circulating on social media, which falsely claimed that 40 lakh birds had perished. According to him, only 5.4 lakh birds have died in the recent outbreak, out of the state’s total poultry population of 10.7 crore.

“The government responded immediately and mobilized officials to cull and bury approximately 14,000 leftover chickens and destroy 340 eggs in four affected poultry farms,” Atchannaidu stated in a press briefing at Undavalli near the Chief Minister’s residence. He further dismissed exaggerated death tolls, explaining that if 40 lakh chickens had indeed succumbed to the virus, large burial sites would have been visible and captured on camera.

The first cases of Avian Influenza (H5N1) in Andhra Pradesh were detected in Velpuru, West Godavari district, and Kanuru Agraharam, East Godavari district, prompting immediate containment actions, including the culling of birds at affected farms.

Additionally, Badampudi village in Eluru district reported the death of 2.2 lakh chickens, Velpuru in West Godavari district recorded 2.5 lakh deaths, Kanuru Agraharam in East Godavari district lost 65,000 birds, and Gampalagudem in NTR district reported 7,000 deaths.