New Delhi, Jan 6 (UNI) Advising people on safe ways to consume meat, poultry products amid Avian Influenza or ‘Bird Flu’ outbreak in a few districts of Kerala, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, the Animal Husbandry, Dairy and Fisheries Minister Giriraj Singh on Wednesday said that there was nothing to worry about consuming eggs and meat but only precaution has to be taken that these should be fully cooked.
“A few reports of migratory and wild birds dying from bird flu have been reported. Cook the meat and eggs completely before eating. There is nothing to worry. All possible help is being given and states have been alerted,” Mr Giriraj Singh tweeted in Hindi.
He also shared Avian Flu spread in Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala and Rajasthan, where 12 epicentres have been identified.
Sharing the status of Avian Flu, the Ministry said that the India had notified the first outbreak of avian influenza in 2006 and infection in humans is not yet reported in India though the disease is zoonotic.
The status report said that this spread of bird flu may be because of migratory birds coming from abroad to these parts of the country.
Accordingly, an advisory has been issued each to the States of Rajasthan and MP on January 1 this year to avoid further spread of the infection. As per the information received from State of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan control measures has been being taken as per the guidelines of National Action Plan of Avian Influenza.
Another advisory has been issued on 5th January, 2021 to HP where the State has been advised to take measures so as to avoid further spread of disease to poultry. As per the report received, Kerala has already initiated control and containment operations from January 5 at epicentres and culling process is in operation.
The Ministry of Animal Husbandry and Dairying has also set up a control room in New Delhi to keep watch on the situation and to take stock on daily basis of preventive and control measures undertaken by State authorities.
The measures suggested to the affected States to contain the disease and prevent further spread as per the Action Plan on Avian Influenza include strengthening the bio-security of poultry farms, disinfection of affected areas, proper disposal of dead birds/carcasses, timely collection and submission of samples for confirmation and further surveillance, intensification of surveillance plan as well as the general guidelines for prevention of disease spread from affected birds to poultry and human. Coordination with forest department for reporting any unusual mortality of birds was also suggested to the States.
The other states were also requested to keep a vigil on any unusual mortality amongst birds and to report immediately to take necessary measures.
