Amaravati, February 07, 2026: An outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in Tamil Nadu has raised alarms across Andhra Pradesh, particularly in border areas and poultry hubs.
The virus was detected in dead crows in Chennai, with reports of hundreds of bird deaths prompting Tamil Nadu to issue public advisories and intensify monitoring. No human infections have surfaced in India this year, and transmission to people remains rare.
In Andhra Pradesh, officials report zero confirmed cases in poultry, wild birds, or humans. The Animal Husbandry Department has directed farmers to enforce strict bio-security protocols, including fencing and hygiene measures around farms and wetlands.
Migratory birds that frequent key sites like Kolleru Lake, Pulicat, and Coringa add to risks, as they travel across southern states.
