Cook poultry items well, no fear: Govt

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 5

The Animal Husbandry and Dairying Department has issued an advisory regarding poultry and poultry products. An official spokesperson said poultry and poultry products could be cooked and consumed, with no fear of acquiring infection from the avian influenza virus.

He said unusual deaths of four lakh poultry birds had occurred at 20 poultry farms in the past 10 days, with epicentres near Garhi Kutaha and Jaloli in the Barwala area of Panchkula district.

He said the samples were collected and sent to the Regional Disease Diagnostic Laboratory in Jalandhar and the report was awaited. He asserted that there was no confirmed report of avian influenza so far.

He stated that the avian influenza virus was sensitive to heat and the normal temperature used for cooking could kill it. Before consuming poultry, consumers should ensure that all parts and eggs were fully cooked, he added.

The spokesperson said raw poultry and poultry products should never be allowed to mix with items eaten raw and persons involved in food preparation should wash their hands thoroughly and clean and disinfect surfaces in contact with poultry products.