Andhra Pradesh officials sound alert on bird flu, collect samples from poultry farms

Alert issued in Vijayawada over bird flu outbreak in Nellore district; officials form teams to prevent spread.

Officials sounded an alert over the presence of Avian Influenza A(H5N1), also known as bird flu, in Nellore district.

The Veterinary Department, who confirmed the outbreak of bird flu in poultry farms, observed that many chickens have died of the flu. The poultry owners culled hundreds of birds to prevent the spread of the Avian Influenza A(H5N1).

The State government has formed special teams and issued instructions to officers concerned to take stringent measures to prevent the spread of bird flu.

In all 721 rapid response teams have been constituted across the State, and instructions have been given to collect samples and create awareness among the poultry farmers on the disease.

The teams will cover all villages where poultry farms are located as part of their survey on bird flu.

“Except Nellore district, there have been no reports of bird flu from other districts in the State. There is no need for any panic,” said a veterinary doctor.

Meanwhile, there was a drop in sales of chicken on Sunday in the wake of the bird flu scare.