With the confirmation of avian influenza outbreak in Ranga Reddy district of Telangana five days ago, the Department of Animal Husbandry, Vellore has been taking precautionary measures and has stepped up vigil of poultry farms in the district.
Disinfectants sprayed
It has started to spray disinfectants on vehicles travelling from Telangana into Vellore and is sending back vehicles transporting poultry birds and poultry produce.
K. Rajasekaran, joint director of Animal Husbandry, Vellore said they had taken up precautionary measures from April 15 after bird flu was confirmed in Telangana. “They are culling nearly 1.5 lakh poultry birds in Telangana.
We had started spraying chlorine dioxide, which is a disinfectant, on the tyres of heavy vehicles travelling from Telangana at four entry points in Vellore,” he said.
Vehicles from Andhra Pradesh entered the district at four points – Christianpet near Katpadi, Serkadu, Paradharami and Synagunda at Gudiyatham.
Round-the -clock
“These are the main entry points into our district. Our staff has been deployed at these four points round-the-clock for carrying out the works. A doctor, two livestock inspectors and two animal husbandry assistants are at the spot on duty on shift basis,” he said.
The department staff are also monitoring flow of vehicles carrying poultry birds and poultry produce such as eggs and meat from Telangana. Such vehicles are being sent back, while disinfectant is sprayed on vehicles carrying non-poultry goods, he pointed out.
Meanwhile, the department is also keeping an eye on all the poultry farms in the district.
“We have told our doctors to inspect the poultry farms in their areas and inform immediately if there are any cases of untoward deaths of birds. Revenue officials such as Village Administrative Officers have also been instructed to monitor and keep us informed,” he added.
The precautionary measures will continue till Telangana completely eradicates Avian Influenza, he said.
Animal husbandry department steps up vigil
Doctors asked to report untoward death of birds
