Alert Issued
A palpable sense of urgency has descended upon Annamayya and Chittoor districts as laboratory reports unequivocally confirm the presence of bird flu, also known as Avian Influenza, within local poultry
farms. In response, officials have elevated the alert status to high, signaling the immediate implementation of robust containment and mitigation strategies. Essential control rooms have been established to coordinate the response, and specialized veterinary teams have been dispatched to affected areas. Concurrently, public advisories have been disseminated, aiming to inform farmers and the general populace while actively discouraging any undue panic. This proactive stance is crucial in managing the spread of the virus and protecting both animal and, potentially, human health.
Annamayya's Response
In Annamayya district, the confirmed cases of bird flu were specifically identified in poultry farms situated in the villages of Puttavaripalle and Ammagaripalle, both within the Sadum mandal. Following these confirmations, derived from tests conducted at the esteemed National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD) in Bhopal, swift and decisive action was initiated. Infected birds were humanely culled and subsequently buried in accordance with established biosecurity protocols to prevent further dissemination of the virus. Veterinary professionals were actively collecting fresh samples from the sites to monitor the situation closely, while medical personnel, equipped with protective gear, worked diligently in the affected zones. To contain the outbreak, all movement of poultry originating from the Sadum region has been strictly prohibited. Furthermore, a comprehensive awareness campaign, utilizing public address systems, has been launched to educate the community about the situation and necessary precautions.
Official Assurances
District Collector Nishant Kumar has made a significant assurance to the farmers impacted by the bird flu outbreak, promising fair compensation for their losses. He stressed the critical importance of a unified and coordinated effort, involving the collective strengths of the Police, Revenue, Panchayat Raj, Medical, and Animal Husbandry departments, to effectively combat the spread of avian influenza. Reiterating the official confirmation of positive cases in two distinct poultry farms within Sadum, the Animal Husbandry Officer, Gunasekhar, also noted that results from samples taken in Kambamvaripalle were still pending. He thoughtfully reiterated a crucial point for public understanding: the transmission of the virus from birds to humans is exceedingly rare. Moreover, he provided reassurance that chicken, when properly cooked to adequate temperatures, remains safe for consumption, thereby dispelling potential fears among consumers.
Chittoor's Measures
In parallel, Chittoor district has also taken proactive steps. Collector Sumit Kumar issued a district-wide advisory on Sunday, imploring poultry farmers to immediately report any unusual or unexplained mortality among their birds. Following reports of poultry deaths originating from the Karvetinagaram mandal, a dedicated rapid response team has been constituted to swiftly address any potential outbreaks. Samples collected from the affected area have been dispatched to NIHSAD for thorough testing and confirmation. Amidst these developments, a noticeable consequence has emerged: fear and unsubstantiated rumors surrounding bird flu have unfortunately led to a sharp decline in chicken prices across the region, causing significant financial strain on poultry farmers and traders alike. The prices have seen a dramatic slump from approximately Rs 220 to Rs 140 per kilogram across the Rayalaseema region, underscoring the economic impact of the outbreak.
