January 21, 2008

Poultry sales in India falls in the midst of bird flu fear

The people are warned against consuming poultry products by doctors while governmental organisations ponder on bird flu.

The Bihar government declared on Friday (January 18, 2008) that its poultry had been vaccinated against the H5N1 bird flu virus.

The people had stopped the consumption of chicken and eggs since the bird flu outbreak in neighbouring West Bengal. Districts that are in close distance to bird flu inflicted West Bengal sees the worst fall of poultry sales.

Kishanganj district magistrate Sridhar Cherevellu said the administration had been alerted and precautionary measures taken.

Bihar's Kishanganj and Katihar districts share a border with West Bengal districts of Birbhum and South Dinajpur, which are most affected by the bird flu.

Official sources said that the government is considering a ban on all private vehicles carrying poultry from West Bengal.

Assistant manager of Bhagalpur's regional poultry farm, Anil Kumar said measures have been initiated for decontamination of both government and private poultry farms.

However, medical consultant AK Sinha said migratory birds were being hunted and sold by some people, which threaten the districts.

After conducting tests on random chickens, animal husbandry officials in Patna gave a clean statement to the poultry sector. The poultry owners are urged to exercise utmost caution and ensure that chickens are not affected.