Bird flu situation under control in A.P., says Agriculture Minister Atchnnaidu

Minister for Agriculture K. Atchannaidu on Monday stated that the avian influenza situation in Andhra Pradesh was under control, urging the public and poultry farmers not to panic.

In a statement, the Minister said that bird flu was officially confirmed in the villages of Sodam mandal of Annamayya district following laboratory reports from NIHSAD, Bhopal, communicated through the Centre.

Rapid Response Teams were being deployed immediately, and culling operations were carried out strictly in accordance with standard operating procedures.

Under the supervision of District Collectors, coordinated action by multiple departments led to the completion of culling in two poultry farms on Sunday.

As a precaution, additional samples gathered from Sodam and Karvetinagaram in Chittoor district have been sent to the Bhopal laboratory for testing, the Minister said.

Mr. Atchannaidu clarified that consumption of chicken and eggs is safe for consumers.

Meanwhile, senior officials of the Animal Husbandry from Vijayawada visited the Karvetinagaram farm and briefed the farmers on disease control and biosecurity measures.