Animal husbandry, fisheries and dairy minister Giriraj Singh has allayed fears about bid flu and dished out some cooking tips so people can steer clear of the Avian Influenza or bird flu, which is doing the rounds in at least four states.
“There have been reports of migratory and wild birds dying from bird flu in some places. (Please) Cook the meat and eggs completely before eating. There is nothing to worry about. All possible help is being given, and states have been alerted,” Mr Singh tweeted in Hindi.
कुछ जगहों पर बर्ड फ़्लू से ज़्यादातर प्रवासी और जंगली पक्षियों के मरने की रिपोर्ट आयी है।मीट और अंडे को पूरी तरह पका कर खाएँ। घबराने की कोई बात नहीं है। राज्यों को सतर्क कर हर सम्भव मदद की जा रही है।
— Shandilya Giriraj Singh (@girirajsinghbjp) January 6, 2021
Also Read: Bird flu scare spreads across country after thousands of birds found dead
The minister also shared a status report of the Avian Flu spread in Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala and Rajasthan, where 12 epicentres have been identified.
Lakhs of birds, mostly migratory, have died across India in the last 10 days.
While some states have started culling operations and regulated the sale of poultry and related products, their neighbours are keeping a check on inter-state movement, especially in border districts.
The central government has also set up a control room in New Delhi to monitor the situation. The advisory suggests affected states to improve “biosecurity of poultry farms, disinfect affected areas, properly dispose of dead birds, increased surveillance”, besides coordination with the forest department.
Neighbouring states must remain vigilant towards any “unusual mortality amongst birds and report it immediately”. The advisory also suggested personal safety protocol, including wearing protective gear, disinfecting surfaces and using antiviral drugs.
Experts have maintained that a bird-to-human spread of the viral disease is only possible if the meat is not fully cooked.
Also Read: Rajasthan: Bird Flu alert sounded after 250 crows die
