Bird flu in Andhra Pradesh: Four infected areas declared as biosecurity zones; restrictions imposed

Andhra Pradesh Government declares Biosecurity Zones due to bird flu outbreak, imposing restrictions in identified areas.

The Andhra Pradesh Government has declared four areas as Biosecurity Zones, where the restrictions are imposed, in view of the identification of the avian influenza (bird flu) cases in the State. The four areas are Badampudi in Eluru district, Velpuru and Kanuru in West Godavari and Gampalagudem in Krishna district.

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Addressing the media at the Secretariat on Thursday (February 13, 2025), Minister for Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Kinjarapu Atchannaidu said that based on the guidelines from the Central Government, the biosecurity zones were declared in the areas, wherein there was outbreak of bird flu.

The security restrictions are imposed in three layers at each of the biosecurity zone. The first layer of security would be provided within a radius of one kilometre distance from the village, where the bird flu is prevalent. This is called the Red Zone. Here, the entire mobility of people and birds are restricted from one farm to the other. The second layer of security restrictions are imposed between one kilometre and 10 kilometre which is called surveillance area, where the government would monitor. Here, mobility is not restricted. Beyond ten kilometre, there is no restriction on sale and consumption of chicken and eggs.

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Mr. Atchannaidu said Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu interacted with the scientists in Bhopal and the officials concerned of the Union Government. He said the State Government has identified these areas as Biosecurity Zones and has taken necessary precautions as per the guidelines of the Union Government.

District Collectors, officials from Animal Husbandry, Medical and Health and other Departments were instructed to monitor incidence on an hourly basis in the State. The Minister said there was no truth in the news that Sakshi TV broadcast on Thursday (February 13, 2025) that a person was infected with bird flu. “After verification, our officials confirmed that it is a wrong news. The Government will take appropriate action for spreading misinformation,” he said, adding that neighboring States such as Telangana also get chicken and eggs from Andhra Pradesh.