Bird Flu Scare: Govt Asks to Avoid Half-Boiled Eggs, Undercooked Chicken

NEW DELHI: The Centre on January 23 said that bird flu in poultry has been confirmed so far in nine states of Kerala, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab.

"Till January 23, 2021, outbreaks of Avian Influenza (Bird flu) have been confirmed in nine states (Kerala, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab) for poultry birds," the ministry of fisheries, animal husbandry and dairying said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Food regulator FSSAI issued detailed guidelines in view of the bird flu scare.

Here is the full list of Do's & Don'ts issued by the FSSAI.

1. Do not eat half-boiled eggs, undercooked chicken

2. Avoid touching dead birds with bare hands

3. No direct contact with raw meat

4. Use mask, gloves at the time of handling raw chicken

5. Wash hands frequently, maintain cleanliness

6. Eat chicken, eggs and their products after cooking

Meanwhile, in Assam as a precautionary measure, the Assam state government has imposed a temporary ban on entry of poultry from the western state border to shield Assam and the entire Northeast from Avian Flu. However, sales of poultry are allowed in the State. And the government is yet to hit the panic button.

A notification issued by the Secretary, Veterinary department, says "in view of the avian flu outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza – which is highly contagious Avian disease having zoonotic potential of causing huge loss of mortality and trade of poultry in some of the State – the government has imposed the temporary ban. The order has come into force with immediate effect and will remain in force until further order".

Talking to this reporter, State Veterinary Director Ashok Barman said, "We haven't imposed any restriction on sales of poultry since Avian Flu has not been detected in the State. We've adequate quantity of locally-produced broiler. There's no reason to panic. If Avian Flu is detected in the State, we'll alert the public in no time." Poultry, including ducks, make 21 per cent of the total meat produced in the State. Thousands of youths eke out their living in the State from this sector. According to sources, the total poultry production in the State in 2018-19 was 50,000 tonnes.

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