Authorities in Andhra Pradesh’s Nellore district have confirmed a bird flu outbreak following the deaths of numerous chickens in two villages. Samples sent to a Bhopal laboratory tested positive for the avian influenza virus, prompting the district collector, Hari Narayan, to take swift action.
Narayan convened an emergency meeting with animal husbandry officials, directing them to implement measures to contain the disease’s spread. He mandated the closure of chicken shops within a one-kilometre radius of the affected villages for three months.
Additionally, Narayan instructed officials to bury the deceased chickens and conduct awareness programs in impacted areas. Despite the situation, Narayan reassured the public, stating that health authorities were vigilant and preemptively safeguarding against human infection.
He urged citizens to refrain from poultry contact and promptly report any potential symptoms to healthcare facilities, aiming to mitigate further risks associated with the outbreak.
