Bird flu detected in Andhra Pradesh; Telangana on high alert

Andhra Pradesh reported three confirmed cases of bird flu or H5N1 virus in the last few days in three different locations, prompting the administration to take several measures. Samples collected from East Godavari, West Godavari and Krishna districts tested positive for a highly pathogenic variant of bird flu at the National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases, Bhopal. While the government officials culled around 16,000 infected birds, many more have died at local poultry farms in the coastal belt of AP. The animal husbandry department has also collected samples from workers of the poultry farms to check for the presence of the virus in them.

The administration has created a red zone covering a one-km radius area of the farms that have confirmed cases of bird flu. Chicken shops have been shut, restricting the movement and supply of poultry products like eggs. Expanding the precautionary measures, officials formed another zone in the nine-km radius of the affected farms heightening surveillance and monitoring activity. There are also restrictions on the movement of vehicles carrying poultry products. These bio-security measures will be in place for another three weeks.

Dr Damodar Naidu, director, animal husbandry department, Andhra Pradesh, informed that there is no vaccine available for the latest variant of bird flu, which is highly pathogenic. He explained that even if the available vaccine meant for low-pathogenic strains is administered to the birds they would die within 24 hours of contracting the infection. The officials have also appealed to the poultry farm owners to inform local veterinary officials before burying the deceased birds as authorities can enumerate and enroll them for compensation.

The developments have led to Telangana setting up 24 check posts along its borders with Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Karnataka. As of now, Telangana is not allowing poultry vehicles to cross the border from other states. The Telugu state has not reported a single confirmed case of bird flu yet, although there have been incidents of deaths of birds due to respiratory infections in Khammam district. The animal husbandry department of the state has sent circulars to the district collectors and instructed them to stay vigilant and create awareness among the stakeholders like poultry farm owners about the threat of bird flu.

As part of its preparedness, the department has also deployed rapid response teams, each comprising a doctor and two paramedical staff members.

Meanwhile, sale at chicken shops plummeted after speculative posts and messages related to bird flu went viral on social media. Shop owners lament that their business is down by at least 75 to 80 per cent even though it is the marriage season. Telangana animal husbandry officials assure the public that there is no need to panic and citizens can safely consume eggs and chicken as high-temperature cooking methods commonly used in Indian kitchens kill the virus.