Andhra Pradesh has issued a high alert after a bird flu epidemic in Nellore district killed 10,000 poultry birds or more. The government restricts poultry migration and bans chicken sales within one mile.
A high alert has been issued in Andhra Pradesh after avian flu in Nellore district.
Approximately 10,000 poultry birds died since the Feb. 7 incident. National Centre for High Security Animal Diseases samples were H5N1 positive.
District animal husbandry joint director, B Maheshwarudu, said Chatagutla and Gummaladibba are 44 miles apart. There may be avian flu in communities between them. The government has restricted chicken sales within one mile of the farms where the disease is suspected to have originated for three months. Chicken sales will stop in 10 miles for three days starting Friday.
According to Nellore collector, poultry migration is restricted.
The Nellore collector added, “There is a restriction on carrying poultry birds from one place to another for a fortnight.”
Animal husbandry officials believe migratory birds that gather Pulicat lake in Tirupati district may have infected poultry birds. After Chilka lake in Odisha, Pulicat is India’s second largest brackish water lagoon at 759 sq km and attracts hundreds of birds. Nellore poultry farms are under closer surveillance for illness symptoms.
The disease is being stopped by culling poultry in affected areas. State animal husbandry officials have formed 721 rapid response teams to stop the spread.
These 37 teams work in Nellore.
Conclusion
Around 10,000 poultry birds died in a bird flu epidemic in Nellore district, Andhra Pradesh, prompting a high alert. Although Chatagutla and Gummaladibba are 44 km away, the government has banned chicken sales within one km of the disease’s origin for three months. To tackle the disease, 721 rapid response teams have been formed and affected poultry are being culled.
