Unusual mortality of poultry in Godavari districts

RAJAHMUNDRY: Lakhs of fowls are dying in East Godavari, Eluru, and West Godavari districts. Heavy mortality was reported in Badampudi of Unguturu mandal in Eluru district where about two lakh poultry has vanished. The animal husbandry department in these districts is on high alert. Samples are being taken and sent to labs for testing in Vijayawada and Pune.
Talking to TOI, Director, Animal Husbandry, T Damodara Naidu said that the outbreak might have surfaced due to fecal discharge of migratory birds which could have been consumed by country birds. These birds then transmitted the disease to people working at poultry farms, eventually spreading it to commercial fowl. The migratory birds are therefore the source of infection, he said.
Naidu also mentioned that it was a herculean task to find out from which bird, the disease spreads. The migratory birds are the carriers but without any symptoms. He explained that a low pathogenic vaccine was available, but, it would not work for high pathogenic strains. He suspected either Ranikette Disease or High Avian Influenza. He made it clear that four lakh fowls died in the outbreak.
Talking to TOI, DFO, Kolleru, Vijaya said that there is no report of any outbreak of the disease in Kolleru region. She informed that no case was reported at Pelican congregations in Kolleru. She further explained that the migration season was coming to an end in Kolleru as migratory birds were returning with the temperature increasing.
Several lakhs of fowls died in various poultries in East Godavari district. Talking to TOI, District Animal Husbandry Officer, Rajahmundry, T. Srinivasa Rao said that causalities have taken place in places like Anaparthi, Peravali and Undrajavaram in East Godavari district. He mentioned that samples have been collected and are being sent to Veterinary Biological Research Institute in Vijayawada and a lab in Bhopal. As per the primary observation, he suspected that the deaths might have taken place due to Very Virulent Ranikette Disease or due to mild traces of Bird Flu. He mentioned that many farms in the districts were affected. Stating that deaths of 5 to 10 thousand were common in the winter season, he said that deaths of this magnitude are uncalled for.
Talking to TOI, Joint Director, Eluru, Dr Govinda Raju said that heavy mortality has happened in the Manikanta poultry farm in Badampudi village of Unguturu mandal in Eluru district. He informed that two lakh out of three lakh fowls in the firm have died. He has suspected that Ranikette Disease (RD) might have caused these bulk deaths. He explained that the poultry owners noticed the outbreak of the disease on January 13 and resorted to private veterinary doctors. When the situation went out of their control, they approached the animal husbandry department. He advised the farmers to take bio-secure measures and either bury or burn the dead fowls. He warned that the dead birds should not be thrown into canals which will spread the disease.
In a press release, Director, Animal Husbandry, AP, Dr T Damodara Naidu said that there are eight crore commercial fowls and two crore domestic hens in the state and large number of causalities have been reported in the state. He observed that the arrival of a large number of migratory birds Kolleru lake area might have caused deaths in large numbers. He further said that lack of bio-security measures and proper disposal of dead birds might have escalated the number. To clear the doubts over the eggs and chicken, he explained that awareness camps are being conducted and made it clear that no cases of ill health or causality of humans were reported after consumption of chicken or eggs in the state. He said boiled eggs and chicken could be consumed without any apprehension.
A large number of mortalities took place in Eluru district, particularly in the Kolleru region. Farmers are saying that the number if very high and it could be in lakhs of numbers.