Poultry industry in the State faces renewed uncertainty following a two-year-old girl's death in Palnadu, just as it was recovering from February's bird flu outbreak.
By Aniket Chakraborty
Apr 8, 2025
Public fear has triggered a decline in poultry sales, deepening financial concerns among farmers already struggling from previous losses.
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Animal Husbandry Department officials confirmed no new bird flu cases have been detected since March, with Director Damodhar Naidu citing effective containment measures.
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Health officials suggested leptospirosis, a bacterial infection linked to poor sanitation, might have contributed to the child's death, creating confusion about the cause.
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AP Poultry Farmers' Federation President Suresh criticized the government's conflicting information, stating the confusion between bird flu and leptospirosis is damaging the industry.
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Consumers like T Rajesh from AT Agraharam are abandoning poultry purchases in favor of alternatives like fish and prawns amid safety concerns.
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Medical experts, including Dr. Nagarjunakonda Venkata Sundarachary, emphasized that properly cooked poultry remains safe for consumption despite public fears.
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The Public Health Department confirmed that all individuals in contact with the child and poultry samples from local markets tested negative for bird flu.
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Authorities have launched awareness campaigns to restore consumer confidence in poultry products and combat misinformation.
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Poultry farmers remain skeptical that these efforts will be enough, fearing lingering doubts will continue pushing them into deeper financial distress.