Koppal in Karataka put on alert as Andhra’s Chittoor reports bird flu case

Koppal: Following the confirmation of avian influenza in Chittoor district in Andhra Pradesh, the Koppal district administration stepped up precautionary measures to prevent any possible outbreak.DC Suresh B Itnal has directed poultry farm owners and officials to remain vigilant and strictly implement biosecurity protocols.Chairing a district-level animal disease emergency management committee meeting organised by the department of animal husbandry and veterinary services on Friday, he stressed the need for intensified surveillance. Koppal district currently has 25 layer farms and 14 broiler farms.Farmers have been instructed to immediately report any unusual poultry deaths to veterinary authorities. Infected birds must be isolated, and carcasses disposed of safely. The DC advised maintaining poultry farms away from residential areas and urged the public to wash hands thoroughly after handling poultry products.Special instructions have been issued to prevent migratory birds from entering farm premises and to spread awareness among farm workers. Any unnatural deaths of birds in villages, lakes, rivers, or waterbodies must be reported immediately.SP Ram L Arasiddi, DFO Nirmala, and senior veterinary officials, and poultry farm owners attended the meeting.