Chittoor declared bird flu-free, but officials tell poultry farmers: stay alert

Chittoor district in Andhra Pradesh is free of bird flu, Animal Husbandry Joint Director Umamaheswari said on Friday, October 9, 2026, while urging the public not to panic or believe rumours about poultry products.

In a statement, the official said preventive measures had been put in place to check the spread of the virus. Employees posted at check posts have been alerted to monitor the transportation of poultry arriving from other districts and States — a precaution aimed at keeping infected birds or contaminated material out of the district.

Poultry farmers have been advised to remain vigilant and to follow biosecurity precautions strictly. Biosecurity refers to routine hygiene and containment practices on farms, such as limiting visitors, disinfecting vehicles and equipment, keeping sheds clean, and separating new or sick birds from the rest of the flock. These steps reduce the chance of a virus entering a poultry shed and spreading within it.

“People should not believe rumours over consumption of eggs and chicken meat,” the Joint Director said. Eggs and chicken can be consumed as usual, she added, provided they are cooked thoroughly and handled with due precautions.

Residents have also been asked to inform local veterinary officers immediately if they notice abnormal changes in poultry or unusual deaths among birds in their surroundings. Early reporting, the statement said, allows authorities to act quickly and contain a possible outbreak before it spreads further.

People seeking information on prevention and control measures may contact their local veterinarians, the statement added.

Avian influenza, commonly called bird flu, is a viral infection that primarily affects birds. Some strains can, in rare cases, infect humans, usually after close contact with infected birds or contaminated surfaces. Public health authorities generally hold that influenza viruses in poultry are inactivated by thorough cooking, which is why well-cooked eggs and meat are considered safe.

Outbreaks of avian influenza are reported periodically in different parts of India, and districts often respond by tightening checks on poultry transport, culling affected flocks where necessary, and advising farms to strengthen hygiene practices. A declaration that a district is free of the disease reflects the situation at a given point in time, and does not remove the need for continued monitoring.

That is the balance officials are striking in Chittoor: reassurance for consumers, and a clear message to farmers and traders that vigilance must continue. The district administration has said the cooperation of poultry owners, transporters and the public will be essential in keeping the virus out.