22 teams deployed for bird flu culling in WG

Authorities in West Godavari district have implemented several measures to combat the recent bird flu outbreak. These include the formation of specialised culling teams and a ban on the sale of chicken meat and eggs within a 10-kilometre radius of the affected area.
Twenty-two Rapid Response (RR) teams, comprising veterinary doctors and technicians, have been deployed to conduct culling operations in Velpuru village, Tanuku mandal, the outbreak’s epicentre.
District Collector C. Nagarani, along with officials from various departments, inspected the G. Krishanandam poultry farms in Velpuru village. She directed officials to carry out the culling of infected chickens following established scientific protocols. She also enquired about the culling process and the administration of antiviral drugs to the birds.
Officials confirmed the presence of the bird flu virus in five sheds at the G. Krishanandam poultry farms. The RR teams are currently overseeing the culling operations. They explained that the culled chickens are being buried after treatment with sodium chloride and potassium permanganate, ensuring a scientifically sound disposal process.
The Velpuru poultry farm houses approximately 20,000 chickens. Following the culling, the sheds will be thoroughly cleaned. Chicken feathers will be removed using flame guns, and the sheds will then be completely disinfected.
“Antiviral drugs have been provided to the RR teams, and the District Medical and Health Officer (DM&HO) has been instructed to conduct health checks on people in nearby urban and rural areas. The government is closely monitoring the situation and providing regular guidance,” Collector Nagarani stated.
While a ban on the sale and consumption of chicken and eggs remains in place within a one-kilometre radius of Velpuru village, officials clarified that there are no restrictions in other areas of the district.
Dismissing reports in some media outlets about human infections, officials confirmed that no human cases of bird flu have been reported in the district. District Animal Husbandry Officer Dr. K. Murali Krishna, in-charge DMHO Dr. B. Bhanu Naik, and other officials accompanied the Collector during the inspection.
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