The latest outbreak of the enzootic Influenza A virus, subtype H5N1, at a large poultry farm in Kangal marks the fifth in Telangana — and the first in Siddipet — since February.
Published Apr 10, 2025 | 1:53 PM ⚊ Updated Apr 10, 2025 | 1:53 PM
Besides culling 7,000 chickens in the affected farm, authorities are planning to kill fowl in farms within a kilometre radius as a preventive measure.
Synopsis: Authorities advised people to be cautious and avoid consuming the eggs and meat of the affected chicken. However, they said it is safe to consume properly cooked poultry products from unaffected areas.
An outbreak of bird flu — or avian influenza — has been reported from Kangal village in Thoguta mandal of Telangana’s Siddipet district, about 100 kilometres north of Hyderabad.
The latest outbreak of the enzootic Influenza A virus, subtype H5N1, at a large poultry farm in Kangal marks the fifth in Telangana — and the first in Siddipet — since February.
As of Wednesday, 9 April, evening, the state Animal Husbandry Department culled 2,000 of the nearly 70,000 chickens at the affected farm. Fowls at farms located in a one-kilometre radius of the affected poultry, too, were being killed as a precautionary measure.
Officials sealed the affected farm after its owner reported chicken deaths. Samples sent to a laboratory in Madhya Pradesh returned positive for the virus. The district administration has set up a control room and urged residents to report suspected cases or concerns at 85004 04016.
All poultry workers were being screened for potential health issues, and residents in the immediate area have been advised against consuming chicken or eggs.
Sale and transport of poultry have been banned in the affected zone, and the police were restricting movement near the farm.
Officials reiterated that properly cooked chicken and eggs from the unaffected areas were still safe to eat. The outbreak came even as the poultry market was gradually recovering from a steep price drop, raising fresh concerns among traders about another potential slump.
Previous outbreaks were reported in Yadadri (22 February and a second case shortly after), Nalgonda, and Rangareddy (1 April).
