Metro India News | AMARAVATI

The Andhra Pradesh government has reassured the public that there is no need for panic over the recent bird flu outbreak, as stringent measures are being implemented to control its spread. State Minister for Agriculture, Cooperation, Marketing, and Animal Husbandry, Kinjarapu Atchannaidu, stated that the government remains vigilant and has taken decisive steps to contain the virus.

Speaking to the media at the state secretariat on Thursday, Minister Atchannaidu emphasized that Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu had immediately responded to the situation by consulting officials from the Central Government’s Animal Husbandry Department and scientists from the National Institute of High-Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD) in Bhopal. He confirmed that several central government teams have already arrived in the state to assess the situation, with the Joint Secretary of the Central Animal Husbandry Department expected to visit on Friday.

The minister urged the public to avoid unnecessary panic and misinformation about bird flu. He assured that properly cooked poultry products, including chicken and eggs, are safe for consumption. He also warned against spreading false information that could incite fear among the people, stating that strict legal action would be taken against those responsible for disseminating misleading news.

The state government has already initiated several measures to control the spread of the virus. The infection has been detected in poultry farms in Badampudi (Eluru district), Velpuru and Kanuru (West Godavari district), and Gampalagudem (Krishna district). These affected areas have been declared as bio-secure zones, with veterinary officers and health personnel deployed to contain the outbreak.

The government has adopted the containment protocols issued by the Central Government, which include restricting movement within a one-kilometer radius of infected farms. Transportation of feed and live poultry has been suspended within the containment zone, and all poultry farms in this zone are being closely monitored. Additionally, preventive measures have been extended up to nine kilometers from affected areas to ensure the disease does not spread further.

State Animal Husbandry Director Dr. T. Damodara Naidu explained that the infection is believed to have spread through migratory Siberian birds. In response, the government has declared affected areas as red zones and intensified containment efforts. So far, approximately 14,000 infected birds have been culled, along with 340 ducks. An additional 1.40 lakh birds from two or three poultry farms are under observation, with plans for culling if necessary.

Meanwhile, Chief Secretary K. Vijayanand held a video conference with district collectors on Thursday, discussing the latest updates on the outbreak and issuing directives on containment and disposal procedures. Special Chief Secretaries B. Rajasekhar (Agriculture & Animal Husbandry) and M.T. Krishna Babu (Health) also participated in the meeting, along with collectors from eight affected districts.

The government remains committed to preventing the further spread of the virus and ensuring the safety of poultry farmers and consumers. With robust containment measures in place, officials are confident that the outbreak will be effectively managed in the coming weeks.