A new outbreak of bird flu has been confirmed at a large poultry farm in Kangal village, located in Thoguta mandal of Telangana’s Siddipet district, approximately 100 kilometres north of Hyderabad.
This marks the fifth bird flu incident reported in the state since February and the first confirmed case in Siddipet. The virus involved is the H5N1 strain of avian influenza, known to persist in certain bird populations.
The outbreak was identified after the sudden death of chickens at the farm prompted the owner to alert local authorities. Samples were subsequently sent to a laboratory in Madhya Pradesh, which confirmed the presence of the virus.
In response, the Telangana Animal Husbandry Department culled 2,000 chickens from a total of nearly 70,000 at the affected farm by the evening of April 9. Officials also initiated culling operations in poultry farms located within a one-kilometre radius of the outbreak’s epicentre as part of containment efforts.
The farm was immediately sealed, and a dedicated control room was established. A helpline number (85004 04016) has been issued for residents to report any unusual symptoms or bird deaths in the area.
All workers at the infected poultry farm are being screened for signs of illness, and authorities have urged residents nearby to temporarily refrain from consuming chicken and eggs. To further control the spread of the virus, the sale and transport of poultry products have been banned in the containment zone. Police have also restricted access to the farm and surrounding area.
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Officials have assured the public that chicken and eggs from unaffected regions remain safe to consume, provided they are cooked thoroughly.
However, the outbreak has sparked concerns within the poultry industry, which was beginning to rebound from a recent decline in prices. Traders fear that renewed public anxiety may once again reduce demand and cause financial losses.
Previous bird flu outbreaks in Telangana were reported in Yadadri on February 22 and shortly thereafter, as well as in Nalgonda and Rangareddy on April 1.
In light of the ongoing situation, health authorities have issued several precautionary guidelines. These include avoiding direct contact with sick or dead birds and animals, using personal protective equipment when contact is unavoidable, steering clear of surfaces contaminated by bird secretions or droppings, and ensuring all poultry products are thoroughly cooked before consumption.
The situation remains under close watch, with further updates expected as containment measures continue.
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