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As the bird flu outbreak spreads across Andhra Pradesh, poultry farmers face devastating losses, both financially and emotionally, as thousands of their birds are culled to prevent further infections. Meanwhile, sanitation workers and animal husbandry officials endure exhausting efforts to contain the virus.
Temporary Isolation Centers and Expert Inspections
In Badampudi village, West Godavari district, the usually vibrant Zilla Parishad School was eerily silent on February 13, as it was converted into a temporary isolation center for officials overseeing bird culling operations. Experts from Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University (SVVU), Tirupati, inspected the affected poultry farms in Eluru, Velpur (West Godavari), and Kanuru Agraharam (East Godavari).
Eluru District Joint Director of Animal Husbandry, T. Govindaraju, stated that around 1,000 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits were provided to the 20 teams conducting the culling operations. Each team consisted of 20 workers under the supervision of a veterinary assistant surgeon.
The experts quietly observed the procedures as workers euthanized birds, placing them in disposal bags before burying them in large pits nearby.
“Necessary Evil” of Culling Birds
Animal Husbandry official Dr. Harsha emphasized the importance of culling, stating, “We have Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). It is necessary to put down even the healthy birds in the coop to avoid spreading infection,” as reported by The Hindu.
While officials carried out their duties, poultry farmer Satti Venkata Manikanta Reddy watched helplessly. “It is as if I’m living in an endless nightmare,” he confessed. He recalled first noticing sick birds in January, initially dismissing it as normal. However, as daily mortality increased from 100 to 200 birds, he realized the severity of the issue.
After taking a ₹12 crore bank loan for his farm, Reddy approached authorities, hoping for a solution. But when test results confirmed bird flu, he was informed that all his chickens had to be culled. “The words struck like a blow. I went weak in my knees and couldn’t breathe for a moment,” he said, as reported by The Hindu.
Efforts to Control the Spread
The Animal Husbandry Department ordered the culling of nearly two lakh chickens across Eluru, NTR, East Godavari, and West Godavari districts, with at least 25,000 birds culled per farm. Officials stressed the importance of strict SOP adherence to contain the highly contagious virus.
Dr. Sai Ramesh, Assistant Director of Animal Husbandry in Bhimadole, described the challenges of wearing PPE suits for extended periods, stating, “Even if we feel parched, we have to wait till the process is completed, discard the PPE suits safely, and sanitize ourselves properly to drink a gulp of water,” as reported by The Hindu.
Despite the exhaustion, he added, “What’s more difficult is carrying the burden of grief of each culling. We wouldn’t let it break us, though. In the end, we are doing our duty,” as reported by The Hindu.
Local Reactions and Sanitation Concerns
In Badampudi, daily life continued as usual, with villagers seemingly unaffected by the outbreak. “Nobody knew the birds were dying, and even now, nobody seems bothered,” said Y. Ramesh, a local mechanic.
However, sanitation workers like Tanukula Srinu and Kalamati Chinna Rao were directly exposed to the virus risks. Tasked with cleaning and disinfecting streets, they lacked proper protective gear. Srinu, a father of two, expressed concern about carrying the infection home. “What if I get infected or pass on the infection to my wife or children?” he worried.
Adding to their struggles, some villagers irresponsibly disposed of dead chickens on the streets, leaving sanitation workers to clean up.
Industry Setback and Economic Impact
Andhra Pradesh Animal Husbandry Director, T. Damodar Naidu, linked the outbreak to unsanitary poultry farms, explaining, “Unclean poultry farms become breeding grounds for flies and their maggots, which attract pathogen-carrying migratory birds,” as reported by The Hindu.
Despite rising fears, Naidu dismissed rumors of bird flu transmission to humans in India.
Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh Poultry Federation Vice-President, T. Kutumba Rao, highlighted the economic repercussions. The state produces 4.5 to 5 crore eggs daily, with 2.5 to 3 crore consumed locally and the rest supplied to schools and Anganwadi centers. However, bird flu fears caused a drastic drop in demand, halving chicken prices from ₹150 to ₹75 per bird, while egg prices fell from ₹5 to ₹4.
Ironically, in countries like the U.S., bird flu outbreaks have led to price hikes due to concerns over production shortages, Rao pointed out.
A Farmer’s Unyielding Spirit
Despite his losses, Manikanta Reddy remains proud of his work. “My father was a poultry farmer, and I entered the chicken coop holding his hand at the age of 13. I nurtured thousands of birds with care and dedication,” he reflected.
Although his farm now lies empty, he remains steadfast. “Poultry was a source of pride for me. It still is and will always be,” he declared.
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