East Godavari district is on high alert following the confirmation of bird flu (H5N1) in three hotspots: Peravali, Nallajarla, and Sithanagaram. The outbreak was confirmed on February 9 after samples from dead poultry layers at a farm in Kanuru Agraharam village tested positive at the National Institute of High-Security Animal Diseases, Bhopal.
Authorities have initiated mass culling of infected poultry and deep burial of dead birds to prevent further spread. The Rapid Response (RR) team, led by District Collector P. Prasanthi, is overseeing containment efforts in the affected areas.
As a precaution, all workers in chicken shops and poultry farms within a 10-km surveillance zone around the hotspots are undergoing medical tests. A total of 64 medical teams have been deployed, and health camps have been set up in 34 villages to monitor for possible human infections.
In an additional measure to curb the spread, the supply of eggs has been banned for 10 days in all schools and Anganwadi centres across the district.
Authorities urge poultry farmers to implement strict biosecurity protocols and report any unusual poultry deaths immediately. Eggora will continue to provide updates on the situation.