Wed Feb 05 20:00:00 IST 2025: **Andhra Pradesh Poultry Farmers Face Crushing Losses as Avian Flu Suspected**
Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh – Avian flu is suspected to be behind the mass death of over 4 million poultry birds in the combined East and West Godavari districts of Andhra Pradesh over the past 15 days. Farmers are reporting significant losses, with some farms losing up to 10,000 birds daily. Hardest hit areas include Badamapudi, Relangi, Mogallu, Pedda Tadepalli, Duvva Velpur, Tanuku, and Gummanipadu.
The Animal Husbandry Department has collected samples and sent them to a high-security lab in Bhopal for testing. Authorities are advising farmers to bury dead birds to prevent further spread of the suspected virus. The crisis extends beyond broiler farms; even expensive pedigree birds have succumbed. Officials estimate 80 million broiler chickens and 20 million indigenous birds are at risk statewide, with farm-raised birds experiencing higher mortality rates.
Similar outbreaks are reported in Khammam district (Sattupalli, Kalluru, and VM Banjara areas) and the combined Nizamabad district (Birkoor, Pothangal, and Bheemgal mandals), where thousands of birds have died. Poultry farmers across the state are pleading with the government to identify the virus and provide a vaccine to prevent further devastation and financial ruin.
First Piper 