“Should I kill all the desi chicken in my backyard,” an anxious woman asked officials, who visited Molkera village in Humnabad taluk on Monday. Panic-stricken locals gathered around officials as they entered the village, followed by an ambulance.
Ramavva Killedar, who keeps a flock of native chicken, was not very convinced when officials told her that her chickens may not be affected as they had never left her house. The affected farm is over 3 km from her home. Deputy Director S. Govinda told her that she should consult a veterinarian if she found any of them sick or dying.
Rangappa Reddy, who runs a shop, wanted to know how long they should keep from eating chicken and eggs. He told the taluk panchayat officer that the nearby anganwadi should be told not to distribute eggs to children or lactating mothers.
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Zilla panchayat Chief Executive Officer Pavan Kumar Malpati said it was possible that workers on the farm were exposed to the infection. “We are giving Tamiflu tablets to the 140 workers on the farm, and to their families. We will also hold health camps where the workers live,’’ Mr. Malpati said.
Farm owner Ramesh Gupta said his losses would amount to Rs. 2.5 crore. A large number of chicken died on the farm on April 23, but the farm owner contacted veterinary officials only on May 3.