BENGALURU: After bird flu was reported from Bidar in north Karnataka, authorities and experts have reassured people that there is no need for panic as adequate precautionary measures have been taken to contain it from spreading to other parts of the state.
Speaking to Express, H N Nagabhushan, General Secretary to the Karnataka Poultry Farmers and Breeders Association said there is no need to panic of stop consuming chicken. "In case of birdflu, it is advisable to cook at 60 degree celsius, but in general, we cook at 120 degree,"he said.
Further Nagarabhushan said they are getting queries from farmers and breeders. "We have told them to restrict any outside vehicular movement to the poulatry farms. We have asked them to spray the chemicals for people and the vehicles, so that if any infection or virus, it will die.
But as such extra measures taken in and around Humnabad in Bidar district. They are culling chickens with one kms radius and poultry sales has been stopped within three kms radius near Humnabad,'' he said. In Bengaluru, the BBMP Joint Director (Animal Husbandary) Maheshwar Gowda too said its safe to consume poultry products including eggs. "Its just a fear among public. No need to panic,'' he added.
At Bidar district, Animal Husbandry department officials taking more measures to avoid bird flu. "We have formed 50 teams, each team will have a veterinary doctor, two para medical staff and two D group employee.
The team will be given training who will spread messages across the district. We are also spraying disinfectant. 1.5 lakh chicken in the poultry farm where bird flu virus found were culled. There is another close-by farm with 3000 chicken, even it will be culled. It is safe to consume from Tuesday,'' Siddappa Patil, superintendent at Animal Husbandry Department (Bidar) told Express.