A spokesman for the CFS emphasized that the suspension is a precautionary measure aimed at safeguarding public health in Hong Kong.
Published Mar 29, 2025 | 11:53 AM ⚊ Updated Apr 02, 2025 | 11:07 AM
Bird Flu (H5N1) outbreak. (Representational)
Synopsis: Hong Kong’s Centre for Food Safety suspended poultry egg imports from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh due to H5N1 outbreaks. In Andhra Pradesh, over 5.4 lakh birds were affected, with significant culling. Telangana’s Nelapatla village also reported an outbreak, leading to 1,500 bird deaths and 53 culled. Authorities are enforcing strict biosecurity, quarantine, and disinfection measures to contain the spread.
In response to fresh outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1), commonly known as Bird Flu, in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, the Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department in Hong Kong has announced an immediate suspension of poultry egg imports from the affected regions.
The decision follows a notification from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) regarding outbreaks in the Yadadri Bhuvanagiri District of Telangana, as well as the West Godavari, East Godavari, and Krishna Districts of Andhra Pradesh.
A spokesman for the CFS emphasized that the suspension of poultry egg imports is a precautionary measure amid the Bird Flu outbreak, aimed at safeguarding public health in Hong Kong.
“The CFS has contacted the Indian authority over the issue and will closely monitor information issued by the WOAH and the relevant authorities on the avian influenza outbreaks. Appropriate action will be taken in response to the development of the situation,” the spokesman said.
While Hong Kong has an established protocol with India for the import of poultry eggs, there is currently no agreement in place for the import of poultry meat. According to the Census and Statistics Department, no eggs were imported into Hong Kong from India last year.
A severe outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) has been reported across multiple districts of Andhra Pradesh, leading to the deaths and culling of over 5.4 lakh birds.
According to an official notification from the World Animal Health Information System (WAHIS), the outbreak has resulted in 5,37,606 reported cases, with 3,62,532 birds succumbing to the virus. An additional 1,78,050 birds have been culled as part of containment measures.
The outbreak, first detected in early January 2025, rapidly spread across poultry farms and backyard poultry units. The virus was confirmed through real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) tests conducted at NIHSAD, Bhopal.
Major outbreaks were reported in Kanuru Agraharam (Peravali Mandal), Badampudi (Ungutur Mandal), Velpuru (Tanuku), Pithapuram (Kakinada), and N R Pet (Kurnool), with tens of thousands of birds dying or being culled. Smaller outbreaks were also recorded in Anumolulanka (Krishna), Chendurthy (Gollaprolu, Kakinada), and Deeplanagar (Krishna).
In response, authorities have enforced strict biosecurity measures, including quarantine zones, movement restrictions, mass culling, and disinfection operations. The government has reassured the public that no human infections have been reported so far. However, the poultry industry has faced economic losses due to decreased consumer demand.
Meanwhile, the authorities have detected a fresh outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) in Telangana’s Nelapatla village, Choutuppal Mandal, Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district, marking the first occurrence of the disease in this zone.
According to an immediate notification issued by the World Animal Health Information System (WAHIS), the outbreak has resulted in the death and culling of nearly 1,500 birds and 53 birds, respectively.
In February, following the report of an outbreak, district veterinary and animal husbandry officer V Krishna and his team visited the farm and implemented sanitization measures to contain the spread. Farms within a one-kilometre radius will be sent for testing, while all poultry farms within a 10-km radius of Nelapatla will be closely monitored.
The outbreak, which was first identified on 14 February, has significantly impacted a poultry farm in the region. Laboratory tests conducted at the National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD) in Bhopal confirmed the presence of the H5N1 virus through real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) testing. The test results, confirmed on 20 February, showed a positive case of highly pathogenic avian influenza in domestic birds.
While the exact source of infection remains unknown, authorities are actively investigating possible transmission routes to prevent further spread. The outbreak has been classified as “ongoing,” with officials implementing stringent biosecurity measures to contain the virus.
To contain the outbreak, officials swiftly culled the remaining 53 birds on the farm. Strict quarantine and movement control measures have been put in place in and around the infected zone to prevent further transmission.
(Edited by Sumavarsha)
