During a review meeting on avian influenza prevention and control efforts, attended by officials from the Police, Revenue, Animal Husbandry, and Forest Departments, Collector Prashanthi stated that the Pune laboratory's tests confirmed the presence of bird flu in poultry in Kanuru village.
Published Feb 11, 2025 | 9:55 AM ⚊ Updated Feb 11, 2025 | 9:55 AM
White chickens in metal cages outside in street market. (iStock)
Synopsis: The East Godavari district colelctor confirmed bird flu in Kanuru Agraharam village and has instructed residents within a 10-kilometer radius of the village to remain cautious. Entry and exit points of Kanuru village are to be temporarily sealed to prevent further spread. Residents have been advised by the authorities to reduce consumption of chicken for the time being.
P Prashanthi, the collector of East Godavari district in Andhra Pradesh, confirmed on Monday, 11 February, that the recent poultry deaths in Kanuru Agraharam village, Peravali mandal, were caused by bird flu, as verified by laboratory reports.
Following this confirmation, the collector has instructed residents within a 10-kilometer radius of Kanuru village to remain cautious. She also directed officials to raise awareness about necessary precautions to prevent the spread of the virus.
During a review meeting on avian influenza prevention and control efforts, attended by officials from the Police, Revenue, Animal Husbandry, and Forest Departments, Collector Prashanthi stated that the Pune laboratory’s tests confirmed the presence of bird flu in poultry in Kanuru village.
As a precautionary measure, a one-kilometre radius around Kanuru has been declared a “red zone,” while a 10-kilometre radius is now a “surveillance zone.”
The collector has ordered law enforcement to enforce Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) (Section 144 of the CrPC) in the affected areas.
Authorities urged the residents and officials to promptly report cases of poultry deaths to the Animal Husbandry Department. Those displaying symptoms of bird flu will receive antiviral medication from the authorities.
Additionally, the collector mandated the burning of all poultry and eggs within a one-kilometre radius of the affected poultry farm, stating that 75 percent of the stock had already been destroyed.
The transport department has been tasked with tracing the locations where chickens from Kanuru’s poultry farms were supplied over the past week.
Meanwhile, entry and exit points of Kanuru village are to be temporarily sealed to prevent further spread. Assistant Director-level officers, Deputy Tahsildars, and Revenue Inspectors have been assigned to oversee containment efforts in each village.
Residents have been advised by the authorities to reduce consumption of chicken for the time being. The District Medical and Health Officer has been instructed to conduct house-to-house surveys within a 10-kilometre radius of Kanuru village to monitor potential cases of bird flu and deploy medical teams as needed.
In response to the outbreak, chicken shops in the affected areas will remain closed for the next few days. Residents experiencing symptoms should contact the control room at 9542908025 between 8 am and 6 pm.
The collector also emphasised that dead poultry should not be discarded in irrigation canals, as this could contribute to the virus’s spread. Authorities must maintain daily records of the situation.
Given reports of poultry deaths in Mittipadu, Nallajerla, and Sitanagaram mandals, the collector has directed officials to implement similar containment measures in these areas, establishing a one-kilometre red zone and a 10-kilometre surveillance zone.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
